Redskins eager to get rushing attack on track against Jets

When the Washington Redskins faced the New York Jets last season, they ran for just 34 yards while their opponent rumbled for 221 yards and two touchdowns.

That game, a 34-20 loss, perhaps best articulated the Redskins’ woes in both the rushing attack and the rushing defense.

“If I recall last year, we couldn’t run the length of my arm against them,” coach Jay Gruden said on Wednesday. “They’re very physical. They play some fronts that are very difficult to run against.”

Whether the Redskins get that same test on Friday when they host the Jets at FedEx Field in the second preseason game is unclear considering the starters won’t play the entire game. That said, the running game will still be a focus for Washington after a sloppy performance in the preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

Here are three things to watch and the logistics for Friday’s game:

Note: Expected starters for both teams and injury reports for the opposing team will not be included in preseason games.

Logistics

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Preseason records: Redskins 0-1, Jets 1-0

Television: CSN (Chick Hernandez, play-by-play; Joe Theisman, color; Clinton Portis, sidelines)

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

Weather: 85 degrees, wind NE 6 mph 

Lines: Redskins -3.5, over/under 40 per Bovada

Injury report:

Redskins: Out — NT Jerrell Powe (heart), WR Reggie Diggs (knee), WR Josh Doctson (Achilles, on physically unable to perform list), TE Derek Carrier (knee, on PUP); Questionable — LT Trent Williams (knee).

Stats:

All-time record: The Redskins are 8-3 against the Jets.

Last regular-season meeting: Oct. 18, 2015: 34-20 loss at MetLife Stadium.

Three things to watch:

** There were several factors that derailed the running game against the Falcons last Thursday. Penalties knocked out big gains. The running backs at times were indecisive with their runs, but they also didn’t always have clean looks from the offensive line. Other times, the Redskins just mis-targeted their runs and went forward into unfavorable defensive fronts. The team worked the running game hard in practice and remains dedicated to improving it.

Matt Jones is expected to get more snaps after playing just six last week. The third running back roster spot is also unsettled, especially after a strong performances from undrafted rookie Robert Kelley. Mack Brown also ran well against the Falcons and rookie Keith Marshall hopes to have a better showing against the Jets. Jones and Chris Thompson likely won’t play beyond the first quarter, which means plenty of chances again for Marshall, Kelley and Brown. 

“We’re going to keep with it, man,” Gruden said. “I feel very positive that we are going to have a very successful running team.”

** Left guard Shawn Lauvao played 16 snaps in his first game since Week 3 of last season and the Redskins hope to get him more work as the preseason continues so they can get a better evaluation of his progress. Lauvao, who sustained a season-ending ankle injury in 2015, had a total of five surgeries and is competing with Spencer Long for the starting position. Long had a heavy workload against the Falcons, taking 33 snaps between left guard with the starters and as the backup center.

“I think Shawn is doing well,” Gruden said. “He’s working himself back into shape. When you miss that much time with an injury, especially to your feet or ankles, it’s going to take some time physically to get yourself back into shape. And I think you’ll see more and more of him in the next couple of weeks and we’ll see how he does. That’s good competition between him and Spencer.”

** Washington was penalized 14 times for 123 yards against the Falcons and there will be a big emphasis on improving that against the Jets. What bothered the coaching staff most were the false start and offsides penalties. After a brief practice on Monday and a day off on Tuesday, the Redskins had just one full practice this week to hammer the details.