Ron Rivera speaks to the media for the first time following Washington’s bye week
Ron Rivera spoke to the media and gave them a rundown of Washington’s injured players, and where they stand coming out of the Commanders’ bye week.
Chase Young(ACL) – Good place. Right direction. Ramp himself up into the weekend. Still waiting for his return to the field after tearing his ACL 11/14/21.
Benjamin St-Juste(ankle) – Missed the last two games with a mid-ankle sprain. Good day of treatment, and headed in the right direction.
Montez Sweat(concussion) – Still in the concussion protocol. Should be able to return to practice Wednesday or Thursday.
James Smith-Williams(concussion) – Still in the concussion protocol. Should be able to return to practice Wednesday or Thursday.
Antonio Gibson(foot) – Played through the foot injury, should be good to go on Sunday night.
Trai Turner(knee/ankle) – Missed the first Giants game. Bye week was helpful for his return
Jamin Davis(thumb) – Had a planned surgery on his thumb, Rivera says he will play on Sunday
Sam Cosmi(ankle) – Team will see how he handles the injury that took him out of his first start at guard.
Ron Rivera
Injury updates:
Benjamin St-Juste is “progressing in the right direction,” Rivera said. Montez Sweat and James Smith-Williams are still in concussion protocol, but should be able to return to practice tomorrow or Thursday.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) December 13, 2022
Benjamin St-Juste had an encouraging day and is heading in the right direction, per Ron Rivera.
Jamin Davis “had a procedure on this thumb” but should be fine.
AG and Trai Turner will be monitored with their injuries but the bye week was helpful for both pic.twitter.com/Ee5RuUNGrq
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 13, 2022
Rivera said DE’s Montez Sweat and James Smith-Williams remain in the concussion protocol. He said they have progressed and should be on the field tomorrow. OL Sam Cosmi is dealing with a sprained ankle; said they’ll see how he handles that Wed morning.
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 13, 2022
OG Trai Turner got a lot of treatment on his leg and “should be fine” Rivera said.
As for Chase Young, Rivera said he’s done a lot of work the last few days. Rivera on Young: “Seems to be pretty confident…we’ll see how he progresses… trending in the right direction.”— John Keim (@john_keim) December 13, 2022
Commanders injury updates from Ron Rivera: pic.twitter.com/un8gRwTjFt
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 13, 2022
Jamin Davis:
Ron Rivera said Jamin Davis had a procedure on his thumb during the bye week. Rivera said it will not prevent him from playing Sunday. Was a planned one.
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 13, 2022
Benjamin St-Juste:
Rivera said CB Benjamin St-Juste had a good day of treatment and work today. “A huge plus from what I was told,” Rivera said. Said BSJ is progressing right.
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 13, 2022
Chase Young:
Ron Rivera says Chase Young is “trending in the direction” and “seems to be pretty confident” to play for Sunday night against the Giants
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 13, 2022
Ron Rivera on Chase Young: pic.twitter.com/6d8QAt98d2
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 13, 2022
Containing Daniel Jones:
Rivera said Commanders need to do a better job of containing Daniel Jones, who had a strong day on the ground in Week 13. Must find a way to contain him
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) December 13, 2022
When asked what has to change for this upcoming Giants game, Ron Rivera identifies containing Daniel Jones first and foremost
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 13, 2022
Opportunity game vs the Giants:
Rivera said the coaches are impressing upon the team that the upcoming game is an opportunity, called it the most important game they will play in up to now.
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) December 13, 2022
Playoff atmosphere:
Ron Rivera: “This for us is a playoff atmosphere for the next four weeks, and nine would be cool too”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 13, 2022
Bye week time off:
Rivera said the team gave them a little extra time off, which the players have handled well. Everyone showed up “bright eyed and bushy tailed” today
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) December 13, 2022
Maturity:
Ron Rivera is pleased with the maturity of his team – many came in for extra work during the bye week. pic.twitter.com/O8HC9KkcaC
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) December 13, 2022
Rivera said players came back from the bye energized and ready to lock in on the Giants. “They’ve been really professional about it”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 13, 2022
Young DBs development:
Rivera called the development of the young players in the secondary “a big boost”
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) December 13, 2022
Carson Wentz:
Ron Rivera on Carson Wentz: “If everything should go accordingly, he’ll be the primary backup for this game [against the Giants] and we’ll go from there.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 13, 2022
Dan Snyder:
Ron Rivera’s reaction to the Oversight Committee report and Dan Snyder often citing the coach as an important person in Washington’s attempted culture change.
“Hopefully, several years from now, when it’s time for me to move on, I left it better than I found it.” pic.twitter.com/d8n47ABIDH
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 13, 2022
Taylor Heinicke/injured OL:
“Well, you know what Taylor, and with pretty much any quarterback is again, their ability to move and slide within the pocket. That helps ‘em in terms of pass protection. But I think if you’re going to help, you got to be able to run the football and be able to take it downhill and be physical and then offset that with good play action. And be aware of putting yourself more in third and short than, than third and long. I mean, that’s the last thing you wanted to do is be in passing situations and have a long way to go. So I think that the best thing we can do is really be able to run the ball successfully or just be really good on first and second down, whether you’re throwing the ball quickly and getting out of the quarterback’s hands, or you’re going play action, or you’re running it. You have to be efficient.”
Tempo offense vs long possession drives:
“Well, part of you have to be aware of what you’re trying to do and how does it impact the other 10 guys. We’ve got some young guys that are out there. We’ve got a little bit of mix in our offensive line and some young skill guys that getting ahead of them could be detrimental too. So, we have to try and make sure that some of the things that Scott scripts, some of the stuff that he plans when we do some of the tempo stuff is with the right group of guys and it fits what we’re trying to do.”