Redskins put emphasis on preparation, communication for third preseason game

LANDOVER — There will be no surprise healthy scratches this week so backups can extended reps against a first-string offense and defense.

Jay Gruden will roll out the starters for the Washington Redskins’ third preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Friday, which will provide the most extended look at the team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins and the rest of the starters are expected to play throughout the first half and some will even play into the third quarter.

With that, here are the logistics and three things to watch in Friday’s game:

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

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

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SEE ALSO: Newly acquired center Bryan Stork will report to Redskins this weekend

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Preseason records: Redskins 1-1, Bills 1-1

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

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

Weather: 88 degrees, partly cloudy

Lines: Redskins -3, over/under 42.5 per Bovada

Injury report:

Redskins: Out — WR Jamison Crowder (knee), RB Matt Jones (shoulder), RB Chris Thompson (rest), WR Reggie Diggs (knee), WR Josh Doctson (Achilles, on physically unable to perform list), TE Derek Carrier (knee, on PUP).

Stats:

All-time record: The Redskins are 5-8 against the Bills and 10-5 in the preseason.

Last regular-season meeting: Dec. 20, 2015: 35-25 loss at FedEx Field.

Three things to watch:

** Offense: Cousins hasn’t taken the field since the first series of the first preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons and left tackle Trent Williams and tight end Jordan Reed haven’t played at all this summer. The three key players in the Redskins offense will be on the field Friday night, but it will still be an incomplete unit. Running backs Matt Jones and Chris Thompson, and wide receiver Jamison Crowder are all out with injuries. Still, it will be a good look at how Cousins commands the offense and the type of rhythm the Redskins can get into.

Without Jones and Thompson in the lineup, it will be a great opportunity for Robert Kelley and Keith Marshall to make their bid for the third running back spot on the roster. The position battle continues at left guard between Shawn Lauvao and Spencer Long and Friday will be a good test for both of them. Rashad Ross holds an advantage as the sixth wide receiver to make the roster, but with Crowder out, players such as Maurice Harris and T.J. Thorpe will have a chance to step up.

** Inside linebacker: Will Compton was also a healthy scratch last week so second-year player Martrell Spaight could get more reps. The starting defensive unit has played well in its limited time on the field and should benefit from having Compton back out there this week. One of the biggest points of emphasis in this game is evaluating how well the team can communicate on both offense and defense and Compton is undoubtedly the voice of the Redskins defense. He’s got a keen eye for identifying formations and aligning the unit properly.

Can Perry Riley challenge Mason Foster for the other starting job? Riley was up-and-down last season, but was playing well alongside Compton before he was injured. Foster was a strong presence in Riley’s absence. If Riley can’t earn the starting job, his play as a backup would have to be strong to justify the $5 million cap hit. Even then, that’s a high price tag for a backup.

** Special teams: The training camp and preseason are vital for establishing the depth on the 53-man roster beyond the starters. Of course there will be some starting jobs for grabs, but the summer provides the greatest window to evaluate depth. Good depth at positions such as tight end, linebacker, defensive back and wide receiver often leads to strong special teams play.

The Redskins gave up a kickoff return touchdown against Atlanta and hope to be better than that moving forward. Keep an eye on outside linebacker Houston Bates, inside linebackers Martrell Spaight and Terence Garvin, and tight end Logan Paulsen as special teams contributors on Friday.