RICHMOND — Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden provided injury updates for two crucial pieces of the offensive line before the team began its 10th day of training camp Monday morning.
Starting left tackle Trent Williams is doubtful to play in Thursday’s preseason opener at the New England Patriots, Gruden said.
“He’s ready to go, but he doesn’t need to go,” Gruden said. “He needs work, there’s no doubt about it. Don’t get me wrong, every football player needs to practice. But if there was one football player that probably didn’t need to practice, it’d be Trent.”
Williams’ 2017 season ended prematurely after he battled through a ligament tear in his right knee to make 10 starts. On Sunday, Williams told reporters the knee is now “fine” in terms of both strength and stability, and he just needed more practice reps to get back up to speed.
Gruden indicated Williams will not see much preseason action at all in order to save him some “wear and tear.”
“He’ll get some reps, hopefully in the third preseason game, maybe get a series or two,” Gruden said, “and get ready for Chandler Jones and the Arizona Cardinals (Week 1 of the regular season).”
Next to him, left guard Shawn Lauvao missed practice Sunday with an ankle sprain. Gruden called Lauvao’s sprain “minor.”
“He’s going to try to do some individual reps (Monday), see how he is. He should be fine,” Gruden said.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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