Here is what you need to know on this Sunday, December 18, one day before the Washington Redskins host the Carolina Panthers.

Timeline

—Today's schedule: No availability

—Days until: Redskins @ Bears Christmas Eve 6; Giants @ Redskins, New Year’s Day 14; Wild card playoff round starts 20

Injuries of note:

Out: LB Cravens (elbow/illness)

Doubtful: LB Compton (knee)

Questionable: G Lauvao (groin), C Long (concussion), OT Nsekhe (ankle), TE Reed (shoulder), S Blackmon (concussion/thumb)

Friday injury report

Redskins player one-liners—Defense

On Saturday, I gave my quick take on each player on offense. Today, it’s time to look at the defense.

DE Chris Baker—It will be interesting to see if the most physical presence on defense puts together a final push in his contract year.

DE Ziggy Hood—Hood’s play has picked up lately; perhaps the 29-year-old wants to ensure that he will get a shot with the Redskins or with another team in 2017.

DE Ricky Jean Francois—I’m not sure why he doesn’t play more than 40 percent of the snaps (350 of 886); it seems like something good always happens when he’s in the lineup.

DE Cullen Jenkins—He’s a good pro and a hard worker but he stayed unemployed until just before the start of the regular season for a reason.

NT Matt Ioannidis—After starting the year on the practice squad, his development this year has been uneven but that is what you expect from a fifth-round rookie.

ILB Will Compton—He has been good at calling the defenses but his execution has been lacking at times; he is tied for the team lead in missed tackles with 11.

ILB Martrell Spaight—The second-year player was a bit overwhelmed when he had to step in for an injured Compton against the Eagles but he will be ready when he gets the start against the Panthers on Monday.

ILB Su’a Cravens—The rookie has been a playmaker on defense but he will miss his third game due to injury tomorrow.

ILB Mason Foster—He had one of his better games against the Eagles as he assumed a big chunk of the role of the injured Cravens; Foster had 12 tackles and a sack.

ILB Terrance Garvin—After playing just 37 snaps on defense this year he might be called upon for some substantial action with Cravens out and Compton doubtful.

ILB Nick Moody—The 26-year-old has two NFL starts under his belt, in 2014 with the 49ers, but he is strictly an emergency option here.

OLB Ryan Kerrigan—He has been playing well all year but he finally got the impact play that everyone has been looking for with his game-ending sack and strip against the Eagles.

OLB Trent Murphy—You know how he has exceeded his career sack total coming into the season this year but he also has three forced fumbles after forcing three in his first two years combined.

OLB Preston Smith—It’s fair to say that Smith is in the midst of a massive sophomore slump after his promising rookie season.

OLB Houston Bates—He has had limited action on defense (24 snaps) but he has supplemented that with about a half dozen snaps at fullback in goal line situations.

CB Josh Norman—It’s hard to have a big impact when they don’t throw the ball your way; in the last five games, opponents have attempted 200 passes and 20 of them have been into Norman’s coverage.

CB Bashaud Breeland—They moved him to slot corner against the Eagles to try to get him out of his funk but he still struggles; rumor has it that a move to safety could be coming next year.

CB Kendall Fuller—It appears that he has lost his confidence and that is critical for a corner; he may be on the bench for the duration of the season and look to start over again in 2017.

CB Quinton Dunbar—Against the Eagles he took over for Fuller (playing outside with Breeland going into the slot) and had his share of struggles as well.

CB Greg Toler—One of the big mysteries of the season is why Toler hasn’t had more run considering some of the issues at corner.

S Will Blackmon—He doesn’t make many big plays from his free safety spot but he doesn’t make many big mistakes either and that’s an arrangement the Redskins are willing to accept at safety at this point in time.

S Duke Ihenacho—He has made a few plays but he is tied with Compton for the most missed tackles on the team with 11 and the safety has played around half as many snaps as the linebacker.

S Donte Whitner—For a guy picked up in Week 5 he has been playing pretty well but that doesn’t mean he’s been playing great.

S Deshazor Everett—He has played 11 snaps on defense (all against the Eagles last Sunday) and he has the only interception by a Redskins safety this year.

And the specialists:

P Tress Way—His net punting average is 37.2 yards, 29th in the NFL and a drop of over two and a half yards per punt.

K Dustin Hopkins—Yes, he is in a bit if a slump but I wouldn’t seriously look at replacing him unless he misses another 34-yarder.

LS Nick Sundberg—He seems to have rebounded from his back injury and is back to his normal, nearly perfect self.

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