Asked about Washington's 2018 defense on Friday, Redskins cornerback Josh Norman noted the NFL team's Alabama connection in the line with Jonathan Allen, the 2017 first-round draft choice, at end, and Da'Ron Payne, the 2018 first-round draft choice, at nose tackle.

"Upfront, man, we've got a line now that can compete with any team in this National Football League," Norman said. "I mean when you've got those two studs right there in the middle, those Alabama -- oh man, roll Tide. Shoot."

But one of those "studs" won't be able to practice for a while.

"Payne got his ankle stepped on yesterday," Washington coach Jay Gruden said to open his Saturday morning press conference. "He'll be in a boot for a week or so. We expect him back in two to three weeks. He'll be OK."

Gruden termed Payne's injury as "not much" of a setback as the former Shades Valley High School standout prepares for his first NFL season.

"He's in great shape," Gruden said. "He's big, strong, physical. He'll probably get stronger in his two weeks working out. So he's in great shape, so it's not a big deal. He's already very smart, knows the defense."

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Payne's strength made an immediate impression on the Redskins when he arrived as the 13th player picked in April's draft.

"This was literally the first day he came in," Allen said. "He just came in and squatted 650, throwing up 400 on bench. I mean, he's a beast."

"Watching him in the weight room, it's really impressive seeing what he does," outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan said earlier this week. "I'm excited to watch him progress throughout camp."

Payne wasn't the only Alabama alumnus who had to leave the field during Washington's second day of practice at training camp at the Bon Secours Training Center in Richmond, Virginia.

"Ryan Anderson had back spasms," Gruden said during his Saturday injury report. "He'll probably miss today, and, hopefully, we'll get him back. Hopefully, he'll get recovered here and be back tomorrow."

Anderson joined Washington in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He suffered a setback in his first training camp when he incurred a shoulder injury in the first preseason game. The former Daphne High School standout came back to play in 14 games as a rookie. Anderson was on the field for 193 defensive snaps, 146 special-teams plays and six snaps as a fullback in 2017.

The Redskins open their four-game preseason schedule on Aug. 9 against the New England Patriots.

Washington Redskins linebacker Ryan Anderson rushes against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL game on Nov. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Texas.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @AMarkG1.