Josh Doctson’s status remains uncertain as Achilles tendon tendonitis lingers

ASHBURN — Jay Gruden expects the starters will play longer in the Washington Redskins’ second preseason game against the New York Jets than they did in the opener against the Atlanta Falcons, but how much more the workload will increase is yet to be determined.

The team returned to practice on Wednesday at Redskins Park after concluding training camp in Richmond for a lengthy two-hour session, the only true practice they’ll have before Friday’s game at FedEx Field. On Monday, the Redskins held a brief session as they wrapped up camp and were off on Tuesday.

“We were a little sloppy out there and we just had to get it corrected,” Gruden said.

Left tackle Trent Williams, who didn’t play in the preseason opener and has been limited in practices with knee soreness, continued to sit out the team portion of drills while Ty Nsekhe took the starting reps at left tackle. Gruden said he was unsure yet if Williams will play on Friday.

“He’s gradually coming along,” Gruden said. “We’re taking it slow with him. He wants to be out there really bad, but we’re holding him back a little bit. But I think he’ll be very close to being ready.”

Wide receiver Jamison Crowder and tight end Jordan Reed did not travel to Atlanta. Crowder was out with a hamstring strain and Reed a sprained right thumb, but both have since returned to practice.

The biggest question still remains with rookie wide receiver Josh Doctson, who has been out since organized team activities with left Achilles tendon tendonitis. Doctons sustained the injury in rookie minicamp and aggravated it in OTAs. Since then, the Redskins have been cautious about rushing the TCU product back to the field until he is fully healthy and it’s unlikely he returns for any preseason games.

“I don’t have any expectations for him whatsoever,” Gruden said. “I’m just trying to adhere and listen to what the trainers are telling me, how he is feeling and ask Josh how he is feeling and I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait and see. He’s going to progress slowly. We’ll take our time with him and when he feels right and the time is right, then we will push him hard and then let him practice.”