RICHMOND — It’s sunny side up for Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden.
“The good things is, we’re getting to look at some guys,” Gruden said Friday.
That’s because a substantial amount of injuries — some day-to-day issues, some longer — have already occurred during training camp.
Friday was no different. First, defensive end Frank Kearse left practice after banging knees with another player. Gruden expects Kearse to be available Saturday. Center Kory Lichtensteiger took a break after appearing to hurt his right arm or shoulder, but returned to practice after talking with the trainers.
Tight end Logan Paulsen, who sprained a big toe, did not practice. Rookie outside linebacker Preston Smith, who injured a groin muscle, also did not practice. He may be available on Saturday.
Defensive end Stephen Paea did not participate in the end of practice because he strained his groin.
The injuries are causing position changes. Quinton Dunbar was a wide receiver, who, on Friday, converted to cornerback, where the Redskins are most thin. Starting cornerbacks Chris Culliver and DeAngelo Hall, who have also strained a groin, are day-today and did not participate Friday. Backup cornerback David Amerson could be back from a sprained left shoulder on Saturday, Gruden said. Bashaud Breeland, who sprained the MCL in his right knee, remains out four to six weeks.
Defensive coordinator Joe Barry said the Redskins “kicked around” the idea of switching the 6-foot-2, 201-pound Dunbar to cornerback prior to the multiple injuries at the position. Gruden said Dunbar played cornerback in high school.
“I was watching [during punts] and he was blocking the flyers,” Gruden said. “He was very long and looked like he could get his hands on people and change direction pretty good. We put him out there in one-on-ones with receivers and he looked pretty dang good, so we decided to give him a chance. … Obviously, he’s got a ways to go with his technique.”
Saturday is the last day of shared camp with the Houston Texans. The teams are expected to scrimmage.
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
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