ASHBURN — Redskins rookie Dwayne Haskins received all the first-team reps in practice Wednesday as quarterback Case Keenum rested with right shoulder and foot injuries.
Interim coach Bill Callahan said Keenum’s off day was planned; the veteran will still play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. But with Keenum sidelined for the afternoon, Haskins was able to further develop.
Callahan said he has been pleased with the 22-year-old’s progress.
“It’s invaluable for a backup to take starting reps, especially at the beginning of the week in terms of putting your plan together and laying it out there and making all the adjustments, whether it’s new communication, new formations, handling the shift-motion game,” Callahan said. “I thought he did a really good job today, so his growth is starting to show in practice and also in his preparation. He’s in earlier, he’s out later, so it’s all coming to fruition.
“It’s going to take a little time, but it’s good to see him take a major step today in practice.”
Keenum was inconsistent in his return to the lineup Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. He completed just 52% of his passes, but threw for two touchdowns. After Washington’s win, Callahan said he saw enough in Keenum for the 31-year-old to start again next week.
Speaking to reporters in Miami, Keenum described his performance as “really ugly,” saying he has to improve. Miami almost pulled off a last-second upset, but failed to convert a game-winning two-point conversion at the end of the game.
That could have been avoided entirely if Keenum and the offense had put up more points.
“The receivers did a great job,” Keenum said. “I’ve got to get the ball to them in key situations and not make it as interesting as it was.”
Keenum, though, isn’t in jeopardy of losing his job. Instead, the Redskins are letting him rest. He suffered a foot injury in Week 3 against the Chicago Bears and hasn’t been fully healthy since.
Wednesday also marked the first time that Keenum was listed with a shoulder injury.
Keenum wasn’t the only veteran who got a day off Wednesday. Running back Adrian Peterson (quad) and cornerback Josh Norman (thigh and hand) also missed practice to rest.
Callahan said resting Keenum was “strictly’ for the quarterback’s benefit, not so Haskins could get the reps.
It is an added bonus, however.
Rookie wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who was also Haskins’ teammate at Ohio State, said the first-rounder is getting more comfortable in the huddle.
“He’s speaking more clear and more concise,” McLaurin said. “So I feel like he’s visualizing things a lot better. He’s making the plays that need to be made on the practice field. He’s controlling what he can control. … Obviously he wants to be out there, but whether he’s taking first-team reps or scout-team reps, he’s treating that like a game-like situation.
“I feel like that is only going to help his development. … I have all the confidence in the world that Dwayne is going to get to where he needs to get.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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