–The Redskins were without cornerback Quinton Dunbar (hamstring) last week in a win against the New York Giants. They hope to get the starter back against Atlanta this Sunday. Dunbar has been battling a nerve issue in his hamstring that shoots down into his shin and limits his ability to run. Dunbar didn’t play the week before against the Dallas Cowboys, either.
“(Dunbar) is on the right track for sure. He did a little bit more today,” Gruden said. “I think he is progressing. Hopefully (Thursday) he can do a lot more and we’ll have a better gauge for where he is. But as usual, after you have a good day of work, we’ll see how he feels tomorrow after running on it today.”
–Quarterback Alex Smith and tight end Jordan Reed haven’t always been on the same page this season. Reed has stayed healthy so far, which hasn’t happened often in his career. But he had just 22 catches through six games. Last week against the Giants, Smith was more proactive and took some chances getting the ball to maybe his most talented offensive player. Reed caught a season-high seven passes for 38 yards. Smith threw his way 12 times. That, too, was a season high – though Reed doesn’t have a touchdown catch since Week 1 against Arizona.
“Jordan and I talk all the time. No question, I think you are always building on that chemistry,” Smith said. “I talk about that a lot. But you are always trying to continue to build. Certainly, neither of us are content with where we are at, we have a long way to go.”
BY THE NUMBERS: 10 – Years since the Redskins had started a season 5-2. They actually were 6-2 that season, but fell apart in the second half and missed the playoffs at 8-8.
