PLAYER NOTES
–LB Zach Brown (oblique) did not practice Wednesday. He has battled his sore oblique muscle since Week 1, but has yet to miss a game.
–G Shawn Lauvao (calf) returned to play Sunday against Dallas after missing three games in a row, but he did not practice on Wednesday.
–S Troy Apke (hamstring) was a full participant at practice for the first time since Week 1.
–WR Josh Doctson had a season-high 42 receiving yards Sunday against Dallas and has six catches in two games since missing the Oct. 8 loss at New Orleans.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: CB Greg Stroman, a seventh-round pick from Virginia Tech in 2018, was forced to start unexpectedly Sunday against Dallas when Quinton Dunbar’s achy shin didn’t respond well during warmups. The rookie Stroman was beaten on a touchdown pass by Dak Prescott late in the first half, but had four tackles and knocked down a key third-down pass in the second half. Dunbar didn’t practice Wednesday so Stroman must be ready to start again Sunday against the Giants.
GAME PLAN: The Redskins should be able to take advantage of a struggling Giants defense that traded away two starters this week alone in cornerback Eli Apple and defensive tackle Damon Harrison. Neither trade brought back a player. That makes New York easier to throw on and run on and Washington running back Adrian Peterson should find things easier up the gut without Harrison.
Dalvin Tomlinson, a second-round pick in 2017, and rookie B.J. Hill are likely to man the middle for New York, a tall task against Redskins Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Scherff. At age 33, Peterson ranks 10th in the NFL in rushing yards (438). The Redskins tend to spread the ball around to their receivers, but look out for Josh Doctson, who has had two good games in a row coming off an injury.
Saquon Barkley (481 rushing yards, five touchdowns) gives New York a punchers chance and Odell Beckham Jr. should have a big day against Washington’s young cornerbacks. But the Redskins have been dominant against the run this season, including stoning Ezekiel Elliott last week in a win against Dallas. The Redskins rank third against the run at 87.3 yards rushing allowed per game thanks in large part to rookie Daron Payne and second-year pro Jonathan Allen on the defensive line.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Redskins CB Josh Norman vs. Cowboys WR Odell Beckham Jr. The Redskins have often stayed away from this matchup in recent years given the explosive history between the two men. They don’t have a choice this weekend with the likelihood rookie Greg Stroman must start at corner. Norman has two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and his first interception since 2016 through six games. Beckham is third in the league in receptions (53) and has two touchdowns.
–Giants S Landon Collins vs. Redskins TE Jordan Reed. Collins doesn’t have any forced fumbles, recoveries or interceptions this season. Reed has managed to stay healthy, playing in all six games, but has just 22 catches for 268 yards and one touchdown.
