Here is what you need to know on this Tuesday, August 8, 25 days before the Washington Redskins cut their roster to 53 on September 2.

Timeline

The Redskins last played a game 219 days ago; they will open the 2017 season against the Eagles at FedEx Field in 33 days.

Today’s schedule: Jay Gruden news conference 1:15; Practice 1:30; Kirk Cousins news conference after practice approx. 3;30

Days until:



—Preseason opener @ Ravens (8/10) 2

—Preseason vs. Packers at FedEx Field (8/19) 11

—Sunday night Raiders @ Redskins (9/24) 47

Redskins hot topics

RICHMOND—A look at some things going on around Redskins training camp.

—It looks like I created a bit of a stir in yesterday’s Need to Know by quoting what Jay Gruden said about Bashaud Breeland and then giving my observations on why Gruden said it. Breeland sent a screenshot of the post via social media and then proceeded to get pulled out of practice (contrary to some reports, he stayed on the field, he stayed out just as a spectator). I guess the messenger is the one who usually gets into trouble.

—There probably isn’t another wide receiver spot open but if there is Matt Hazel, a 2014 Dolphins draft pick who played in five games for Miami in 2015, is a prime candidate to claim it. He made a determined grab of a pass near the sideline while taking a shove from D.J. Swearinger. Hazel held on to the ball and got both feet in. It seems he makes at least one play like that every day. He’s an early favorite to be the guy who shines in some preseason games and has fans insisting that he should make the roster.

—The final two items come from social media, one from Twitter and one from Facebook.

https://twitter.com/pk4yahweh/status/894347890243629056

Sprinkle has looked OK, and better of late. He is gaining confidence in his patterns and when going to catch the ball. I need to see more of his run blocking, which will be one of his primary responsibilities. But overall, for a rookie, he is progressing as expected.

It appears that Sprinkle already is ahead of Derek Carrier on the depth chart. Obviously, Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis are locks. Niles Paul is close to a lock with special teams play and other “dirty work”. So Sprinkle needs to convince them to carry a fourth TE if he’s going to stay. In my latest roster projection, I have him making it with the team carrying three running backs (sorry, Mack Brown fans).

To answer your last question first, there isn’t another DeSean Jackson on the roster. But there really isn’t another one of him in the league. Plenty of teams move the ball well without a D-Jax so the Redskins should be able to do so as well.

That doesn’t mean he might not be missed. But Terrelle Pryor and Josh Doctson both look like they will be good moving the chains and don’t forget that a couple of very good pass catchers in Jordan Reed and Jamison Crowder return. They might make fewer trips to the red zone but if they are better scoring when they get there they could come out ahead of the game.

Stay up to date on the Redskins. Rich Tandler covers the team 365 days a year. Like his Facebook page Facebook.com/TandlerCSN and follow him on Twitter @Rich_TandlerCSN.

Tandler on Twitter

Yes thats #Redskins great Joe Jacoby watching the current OL get in some work. pic.twitter.com/f45UF0rcbX — Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) August 7, 2017

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