Pregame Primer: How will the Redskins’ ailing secondary hold up?

LANDOVER — The Washington Redskins return to FedEx Field on Sunday to host the Philadelphia Eagles after a 32-21 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3.

Both teams enter the game with 1-2 records and are seeking their first win in the NFC East.

After losing to the Giants, the Redskins have had 10 days to refocus and are hoping for a better start against Philadelphia. Washington fell behind, 12-0, in New York and it never really got better from there.

A big point of emphasis this week has been on improving the pass rush. The Redskins have just four sacks this season and need to do better at getting to the quarterback if they want to improve their minus-5 turnover ratio, which ranks second-worst in the NFL.

More importantly, the Redskins depth will be greatly tested, particularly in the secondary. Cornerback Chris Culliver is a game-time decision because of various leg injuries and the Redskins signed Deshazor Everett from the practice squad on Saturday.

On the offensive line, left guard Spencer Long is expected to start in place of Shawn Lauvao, who was placed on injured reserve this week.

There is more on those two items below, plus a look at what to expect on Sunday.

Logistics

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Records: Redskins 1-2, Eagles 1-2

Television: FOX (Dick Stockton, play-by-play; David Diehl, color; Kristina Pink, sidelines)

Radio: ESPN 980 (Larry Michael, Sonny Jurgensen, Chris Cooley, Doc Walker)

Weather: 60 and cloudy, 15 percent chance of rain. Wind: 13 mph

Lines: Philadelphia -3, over/under 45.5 per Bovada

Projected Starters:

Redskins offense: QB Kirk Cousins, RB Alfred Morris, FB Darrel Young, WR Pierre Garcon, WR Ryan Grant, TE Jordan Reed, LT Trent Williams, LG Spencer Long, C Kory Lichtensteiger, RG Brandon Scherff, RT Morgan Moses.

Redskins defense: DE Stephen Paea, NT Terrance Knighton, DE Jason Hatcher, OLB Trent Murphy, MLB Keenan Robinson, MLB Will Compton, OLB Ryan Kerrigan, CB Bashaud Breeland, CB Chris Culliver, SS Trenton Robinson, FS Dashon Goldson.

Eagles offense: QB Sam Bradford, RB DeMarco Murray, WR Nelson Agholor, WR Jordan Matthews, WR Riley Cooper, TE Brent Celek, LT Jason Peters, LG Allen Barbre, C Jason Kelce, RG Matt Tobin, RT Lane Johnson.

Eagles defense: DE Fletcher Cox, NT Bennie Logan, DE Brandon Bair, OLB Connor Barwin, ILB DeMeco Ryans, ILB Mychal Kendricks, OLB Brandon Graham, CB Byron Maxwell, CB Nolan Carroll, S Walter Thurmond, S Malcolm Jenkins

Injury report:

Redskins: Out — CB DeAngelo Hall (toe), WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring), MLB Perry Riley Jr. (calf); Questionable — CB Chris Culliver (knee), DE Kedric Golston (hand), C/G Josh LeRibeus (calf); Probable — C Kory Lichtensteiger (finger), QB Colt McCoy (foot), RT Morgan Moses (knee/elbow).

Eagles: Out — LB Kiko Alonso (knee), DE Taylor Hart (shoulder), DE Cedric Thornton (hand); Questionable — S Chris Maragos (quad), RB DeMarco Murray (hamstring), LT Jason Peters (quad), LB Mychal Kendricks (hamstring); Probable — TE Trey Burton (shoulder), WR Josh Huff (hamstring), WR Riley Cooper (knee).

Three things to watch:

** Circling back to the secondary. If Culliver is out, the Redskins will have just four healthy corners: Bashaud Breeland, Will Blackmon, Quinton Dunbar and Everett. Blackmon signed with the team in Week 2 and Dunbar converted to the position from wide receiver in training camp. Without DeAngelo Hall (toe) the next three to four weeks and Justin Rogers (calf) on injured reserve, the Redskins will be thin in the defensive backfield. How they hold up against Sam Bradford and Philadelphia’s passing game will be key. I’d imagine the Eagles will test them early.

** The Redskins abandoned the run last week after falling behind early to the Giants. The rushing attack is Washington’s strength and coach Jay Gruden acknowledged the Redskins need to get Alfred Morris more carries. He had just six in New York and that won’t cut it on Sunday against the Eagles. How Spencer Long holds up at left guard in place of Shawn Lauvao will impact the running game. Lauvao was used as a pulling guard in the team’s zone-blocking scheme and it will be interesting to see if Long can do the same. That said, he is in a good place between two veterans — left tackle Trent Williams and center Kory Lichtensteiger.

** How will quarterback Kirk Cousins respond after Thursday’s loss to the Giants? Cousins threw two interceptions and completed 30 of his 49 pass attempts. Cousins was mad at himself after his second interception, a forced throw to tight end Derek Carrier that he said he should have thrown away. Cousins acknowledged making better decisions this week and he’ll have a chance to do so against the Eagles. “The great thing about the NFL is that you’re going to have setbacks, but when you do, the next Sunday is coming soon,” Cousins said on Wednesday. “We’re excited about the opportunity to go out and put a much better product on the field this Sunday.”

Stats:

All-time record: The Redskins are 82-73-5 against the Eagles.

Last regular-season meeting: Dec. 20, 2014: 27-24 win at FedEx Field.