RICHMOND--Here is what you need to know on Thursday, July 26, 14 days before the Washington Redskins open up their preseason at New England.

Note: With a new season, I revised the format of Need to Know in response to some comments. The revision will undergo further tinkering over the next few weeks; your comments here or on social media are welcome.

Talking Points

The Redskins will start training camp with two players on the PUP list and neither one of them is Jordan Reed.

DT Stacy McGee, who had core muscle surgery in the spring, is on the PUP list. CB Josh Holsey, who was injured when a table fell on his foot, is on the active-non-football injury list.

The team that ended the 2017 season as the most injured squad in the NFL (per Football Outsiders) enters preparation for 2018 season as one of the healthier teams in the league. McGee is a backup on the defensive line and Holsey faces a battle for a roster spot at cornerbacks. While depth is important, neither is a front-line player.

This doesn’t mean that everyone on the roster will be participating fully in practice every day. Jay Gruden said that some players like Jordan Reed, Trent Williams, and Morgan Moses, will go slowly in camp and ramp up to the first game. But as of right now, all of the team’s key players are on track to be able to play in the September 9 regular season opener against the Cardinals.

It goes without saying that the situation could change. There will be some injuries along the way. Most will be minor, and the team will be very cautious and hold players out of practice. Some fans will be overcome with irrational panic if a couple of starters have hamstring injuries.

There may be some more serious injuries that will keep players out of regular season games. Most teams lose someone before the season starts. It’s when the injuries that cost games start piling up that concern, or, yes, even panic should set in.

But right now, on July 26, the Redskins are about as well off as they can be and that is a positive development.

Water Cooler Wisdom

Alex Smith and Kirk Cousins are the first two quarterbacks to pass for over 4,000 yards in one season and start the next year with a new team since Bret Favre was traded from the Packers to the Jets in 2008 after he passed for 4,155 yards in Green Bay in 2007.

On the Record

Jay Gruden on what Derrius Guice needs to work on: “The physicality of Derrius Guice is not the issue. We just got to make sure he gets it mentally. I don’t think he's going to have a problem. He picked it up very fast in OTA's. He didn't have any mental mistakes, did a great job, so I anticipate Derrius getting plenty of looks – plenty of touches.”

Comment: Earlier, Gruden said that Guice is “Strong, strong, strong, strong.” Four strongs. He must be in pretty good shape.

On moving Ty Nsekhe to guard: “Not yet. We’ve got to get him on the field first. He’s going to have to do individual and all that stuff. But right now, we are going to leave him at tackle.

Comment: I just paid attention to the first two words—not yet. Seems to imply that it will happen at some point or at the very least it hasn’t been ruled out.

The Agenda

Today: Training camp practice 9:45; Walkthrough 4:40; players available after both practices

Upcoming: Preseason opener Redskins @ Patriots (Aug. 9) 14 days; Final cut (Sept. 1) 38 days; Season opener @ Cardinals (Sept. 9) 46 days

Trending on Social

Swearinger, Moses, Reed and Crowder all made @TandlerNBCS' top 15 in his ranking of the Redskins' roster.



Who else did? https://t.co/HA2b80GK0s pic.twitter.com/XcMHG0exBY — NBC Sports Redskins (@NBCSRedskins) July 25, 2018

The roster tanking is done. Go see the gallery with the countdown here.

Yep, Alex, @JPFinlayNBCS has a Vlog, and the first full episode drops today.



Here's a taste of what's to come: https://t.co/y9jO85Rkn3 pic.twitter.com/pcEDMFwnaU — NBC Sports Redskins (@NBCSRedskins) July 25, 2018

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