ASHBURN — Derrius Guice has yet to receive clearance from the Redskins’ medical staff to take full contact, but that could change before Thursday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Coach Jay Gruden said Tuesday he was “pretty confident” Guice will make his preseason debut in Atlanta. If Guice plans, it will be the running back’s first game action since tearing his ACL last August.
Gruden’s comments back up an NFL Network report earlier this week that stated “the tentative plan” was for Guice to play this week.
“I think it’s important for him to get a couple carries,” Gruden said. “Just get a feel of getting tackled again, I’d love to see that happen. Coming off an injury, I don’t want the first carry for him to be against Philadelphia, really. I’d like to get him a couple carries, get a little sweat going, feel the contact and get used to being taken to the ground, protecting the football.”
Gruden said last week Guice was “on the brink” of being cleared.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.