Training Camp Notebook: Skins QB competition stuck in same place

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RICHMOND – The Redskins returned to practice Saturday for the first time since Thursday’s preseason loss in Cleveland. It was more of the same and that might just be frustrating Jay Gruden.

QB Battle – Two interesting things were revealed on Saturday and neither of them happened on the practice field. The first revelation was Josh Woodrum has a torn pec. The Redskins fourth-stringer took a hit on his final play in Cleveland and it actually throws a massive wrench into the Redskins plans. 
This leaves them with just three quarterbacks going into Thursday’s home opener against the Bengals. Head coach Jay Gruden said the organization would look at signing another QB, but this may open up the entire second half for rookie Dwayne Haskins. He needs the reps and, frankly, that’s what they should be doing anyway. But that decision might now come out of necessity rather than by choice.
MORE: Promise, picks, and protection issues define Haskins' debut

The other revelation came from Gruden in response to a question about the competition and where it stands: It is exactly where it stood all spring and that’s the point.

“I feel the same," Gruden said. “I’m hoping that somebody takes it over. That’s what we’re hoping for, but all three of these guys are good players and they’re going to make their share of great throws and great plays. We just have to continue to monitor them and figure out who gives us the best chance at winning against Philly."

Colt McCoy threw a really, really bad interception to Landon Collins on Saturday in 11-on-11 and another that might have been on a receiver during the 7-on-7 period. Case Keenum had the best day and has probably shrunk the gap over the last week between himself and McCoy. Thursday will go a long way in determining the race if both play, but neither player has grabbed this job in any meaningful way. Haskins remains a long way off.
MLB Shuffle – The other injury of note from the Browns game was Shaun Dion Hamilton. The middle linebacker has a chest contusion and will miss this week of practice. That lead to both Cole Holcomb and Josh Harvey-Clemons taking snaps next to Jon Bostic on Saturday.
MORE: Rob Ryan says Holcomb wills 'surprise a lot of people'

Holcomb was singled out by Gruden as someone who played well last week, so I’m guessing he gets the start on Thursday at the “Mo” linebacker spot before switching to the “Mike” (signal calling) linebacker spot with the second unit.

O-Line Doesn’t Shuffle – Despite lackluster performances in Cleveland, Geron Christian and Ereck Flowers stayed atop the left tackle and left guard depth charts respectively on Saturday.

"I think we can improve a lot for sure,” Gruden said of the duo’s Thursday showing. “I think Flowers for his first time at guard, I think he did some pretty good things. He got beat once in pass protection, but I think he showed his power on the inside, which is good.”

“And then, Christian for his first game action after his injury last year, obviously we expect a lot better from him,” Gruden continued. “And he'll give it to us. But I think it's just getting in there the first time – he took a kick slide against Myles Garrett, that is not always easy. But I think I've been impressed with Geron since he's come back from the practice field, and I really think there's a lot of upside there. We’ve just got to continue to work with him and he's going to have ups and downs.”

Gruden said both Donald Penn and Wes Martin did some good things, but clearly, no one blew the coaching staff away. It was a rough night. Unless you’re Trent Williams.
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