In case you missed it, my guy Dan Steinberg gave his take on how the Redskins are handling the preseason thus far.

The young fella, Master Tesfatsion, recapped the game, which featured a sharp bite-size performance by Kirk Cousins and a lot of sloppiness in other areas.

And here’s a look at two standouts, young linebackers Preston Smith and Su’a Cravens.

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Five other things that stood out — for good or bad — from the game:

1. Run game needs work – That wasn’t pretty at all; the first and second unit’s rushing attacks, anyway. Robert Kelley and Mack Brown provided some bright spots late in the game. But Matt Jones, Keith Marshall and their lines struggled to make an impact. Once again, remember, it’s the preseason, so don’t panic. And remember, Trent Williams wasn’t out there, so his presence would’ve helped. But that said, the Redskins definitely would’ve hoped to see better results. Jones looked tentative and flat-footed rather than powerful and aggressive. He could’ve been getting his bearings – it’s the first live action of the year – but he’s got to start better. He needed to square his shoulders and hit the holes harder. Sean Weatherspoon shouldn’t have been able to lift Jones off the ground and plant him like he did. Jones has got to use his speed to get by the defender, or lower his shoulder and steamroll him. Meanwhile, Marshall appeared to struggle with the same thing Jones did last year — trying to bounce runs outside rather than pressing the hole. Marshall didn’t show any of the physicality or great acceleration that he’s capable of. Again, it’s true that the lines could have played with greater effectiveness. But the backs have got to help themselves.

2. Future is bright at inside linebacker – Will Compton always seemed to be around the ball, and it’s great to see his continued growth from undrafted rookie practice-squad member to special teams contributor to field general and playmaker. But Compton’s backup, Martrell Spaight, looked really good as well. He’s aggressive, instinctive and also seemed to always find his way to the ball. Su’a Cravens was all over the place as well. Give Joe Barry and inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti a lot of credit for how they’ve developed these young guys. Obviously, Spaight and Cravens are far from finished products, but both look like future impact players. Makes you wonder how this position will look a year from now. Compton and Perry Riley Jr. (who is battling Mason Foster for the starting jack linebacker spot) will be free agents next offseason. You’d think re-signing Compton would be a priority. Can he and Spaight play next to each other? Will Cravens’s role involve him starting as an inside linebacker, or at another position in the box? This is a good problem to have, and these guys are going to be fun to watch develop further.

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3. Penalties abound – Yeah, it’s the preseason and things will be sloppier than normal. But 14 penalties for 123 yards is unacceptable. Washington’s first offensive possession might’ve turned out differently had Niles Paul’s penalty on the opening kickoff not backed up his unit deeper in its own territory, and had Morgan Moses’s holding call not wiped out a 12-yard Matt Jones run. The penalties continued from there – defense, special teams, offense . . . everywhere. Next game, you want to see improved discipline and a drastic drop in penalties.

4. Young DBs struggle – Quinton Dunbar’s preseason didn’t get off to a great start as he gave up receptions of 68 and 47 yards to former Redskin Aldrick Robinson. Dunbar didn’t have the worst positioning on the 47-yard catch but couldn’t make a play on the ball, and he drew a flag for pass interference as well. The second long gain was far worse. Dunbar did a terrible job of tracking the ball in the air, which is odd considering he’s a former receiver, and was nowhere closed to Robinson. He’s better than what he showed Thursday night. But Dunbar wasn’t alone. Jeremy Harris is going to have a hard time making this team because of the players ahead of him (Josh Norman, Bashaud Breeland, Greg Toler, Kendall Fuller, Dashaun Phillips, Dunbar). But he needs to do a much better job if he wants to either catch on with another team or at least sign with Washington’s practice squad. He, too, was lost in coverage at times. And one play, he slowed up and simply watched as his assignment hauled in a long pass. Elsewhere, Fuller didn’t struggle like his fellow young backs, but he didn’t have an impact. I had expected to see a little more from him. Maybe next week.

5. Odds and ends – We know the coaches love Ryan Grant, and some fans have always scratched their heads as to why. Grant showed Thursday night why he’s valued despite not being the biggest, the fastest or flashiest wide receiver in the room. With Jamison Crowder sidelined by a hamstring injury, Grant played slot receiver with the starters and ran great routes, always seemed to get open and made the catches (three for 31 yards). Crowder last week called Grant the “best route runner in the room.” He just might be right. An ability to play all three receiver spots and special teams is what keeps Grant in the coaches’ good graces, and it’s why Jay Gruden said in May (just after the drafting of Josh Doctson) that Grant would be on this team for a really long time. . . .

A couple of other interesting elements: The use of Vernon Davis and Paul proved interesting. Paul has worked primarily as the second tight end in those two-tight end packages with Jordan Reed. But rather than bump up Paul without Reed, coaches used Davis as their starting tight end and Paul as the fullback-second tight end. Davis should’ve had a touchdown catch but dropped the pass. He looked quick out there. . . .

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Shawn Lauvao received a lot of action in his first game since Week 3 of last season, though he was No. 2 on the left guard depth chart against Atlanta despite having gotten more reps there than Spencer Long as of late. Lauvao looked good as he got to the next level, blocking on a screen pass. He also appeared to hold up well in pass protection. Not sure whether he or Long distinguished themselves, though. . . .

Long looked serviceable at center, and his snaps appeared to be on point. . . .

Interesting that Ziggy Hood received reps with the first team and Ricky Jean-Francois did not. Perhaps coaches wanted to evaluate Hood and know what they have in Jean-Francois. Hood appeared to generate some pressure a time or two. Kendall Reyes had some push but whiffed on a tackle on run defense. . . .

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The starting secondary of Norman, Breeland, Phillips, DeAngelo Hall and David Bruton Jr. appeared to work well together. They were only on the field for one full series but gave reason for optimism. . . .

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Mason Foster got the first crack at the starting inside linebacker job next to Compton. Riley has rotated with him in practices but didn’t get any first team reps Thursday night. We’ll see whether they flip-flop next game. Riley did well in pass coverage, picking up a running back out of the backfield and blanketing him the one time he was targeted. Otherwise, he and Foster both seemed quiet.

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