The Washington Redskins' starters will play a series, perhaps even two, when they play at Baltimore in the preseason opener Thursday night. That's how coach Jay Gruden has always approached the first preseason game. So it will be hard to make any sort of grand pronouncements about how they fare.
But linebacker Junior Galette won't play because of a hamstring injury, and the Redskins hope it's a minor one. With Galette having missed the past two seasons with Achilles injuries, there's no sense having him risk making any sort of leg injury worse.
Galette has looked good for much of training camp. He's playing at a lower weight (248 pounds) and feels more explosive. It's hard to know what he'll do considering he's following a path rarely taken, but if nothing else he will help. Other key players who will sit Thursday night: linebacker Preston Smith (ankle), and receivers Jamison Crowder (hamstring) and Josh Doctson (hamstring).
The first game will be all about evaluating talent rather than worrying about the result.
Here are other aspects to watch:
The rookie class: The three that jump out are the obvious ones -- end Jonathan Allen, linebacker Ryan Anderson and running back Samaje Perine. Yes, others matter but each of these players could -- should -- become a key participant for the Redskins this season.
Allen, the first-rounder, has looked good at times, especially against other backups. But it's not as if he wins every battle against them. With no Galette or Smith, Anderson will get plenty of action. He's jumped out in camp because of how he plays with good power and leverage. One key will be how he develops not only as a pass-rusher but in coverage.
Anderson does have versatility, as do all the linebackers. At times, in a nickel package, he can rush from the middle (along with Galette). Don't confuse that with playing inside linebacker, but it's more about the depth and versatility the Redskins hope they have at this position.
It's hard to measure running backs in practices where they don't hit -- or when they do, it's certainly not at game level. Perine runs with power, staying low and leaning forward through the hole. But he must prove he can handle pass protection at the NFL level.
The defensive line: Aside from Allen, it'll be interesting to see how the Redskins use their front. They've rotated them throughout camp. Who will emerge? Nose tackle remains the most up for grabs with Phil Taylor and Joey Mbu in particular having spent more time with the first unit. But that's no guarantee they'll even make the roster.
Meanwhile, ends Matt Ioannidis and Anthony Lanier are players of interest, too. Of these two, Ioannidis appears to have made the most progress; he's playing more end -- his natural spot -- rather than nose and has been consistent throughout camp. Lanier displayed his athleticism last summer, which is why he made the roster. He's bulked up; how much difference will it make?
Add quarterback Nate Sudfeld to this list. He has looked better than he did in the 2016 camp, but there remains a clear gap between him and the other two quarterbacks in camp: Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins. That should be the case given their experience level, but Sudfeld will receive plenty of chances Thursday. His development is more about to what extent he can help in the future if Cousins leaves than about 2017.
Defensive backs: Two in particular, safety Su'a Cravens and corner Kendall Fuller. Cravens loves having gone from linebacker to his more natural safety spot. But this will be his first game action to show what he can do. Fuller has played well in camp. Does it translate to the game?
Running backs: Rob Kelley is the starter, but how firm is that grip on the job? He re-shaped his body in the offseason, losing body fat. He worked on his hands. But whether because he was just a rookie or because of a knee issue late, Kelley was rather ordinary in the last six games of 2016, averaging 3.3 yards per carry in that time. And what if Matt Jones has a big preseason? Does he somehow get back into the mix for a roster spot? Will Mack Brown continue to play well and continue to be the guy that fans (and others) wonder, "Why doesn't he play more?"
