–The Redskins get to see former wide receiver DeSean Jackson this weekend, whom they have yet to replace as a big-play option since he departed via free agency after the 2016 season. Jackson has reportedly asked for a trade, according to NFL Network, so this breakup hasn’t gone well for him or the Redskins, who lost deep threat Paul Richardson Jr. for the season this week after he underwent shoulder surgery. Jackson, even at age 31, has 28 catches for 626 yards and averages 22.4 yards per reception. He has four touchdowns.
–Cornerback Quinton Dunbar is still struggling with a nerve injury that starts in his hamstring, carries down into his shin area and has rendered him less explosive. That’s a problem when the Redskins need him to cover the likes of DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans. He did not practice on Wednesday, but Washington needs him.
–Luke Bowanko was one of the offensive linemen signed by Washington this week. It is a homecoming for Bowanko, who grew up in the D.C. suburbs in northern Virginia and went to the University of Virginia. He started 14 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014 and appeared in 16 last year for the Baltimore Ravens.
BY THE NUMBERS: Minus-12 – Point differential for the Redskins. They are the only first-place team in the NFL’s eight divisions with a negative point differential.
