Expectations for the Redskins’ preseason opener

George Wallace, wtop.com

ASHBURN, Va. – After 11 days of Training Camp, it’s finally almost time to play some football. Tuesday was the Redskins final practice before the preseason opener on Thursday.

Practice was closed to the public as the team did some specific game situations with regard to the Buffalo Bills.

Tim Hightower, Anthony Armstrong, Jammal Brown, Kory Lichtensteiger and Darrell Young will all miss Thursday’s game, according to Head Coach Mike Shanahan, while Chris Chester is a long shot to play after injuring his ankle during Monday’s practice.

So fans counting on two (possibly three) starters along the Offensive Line, the starting fullback and starting running back both will be out of the opener.

Evan Royster will start at running back on Thursday, Shanahan says. Royster and Roy Helu will see the same amount of action.

“They’ll be in that 15-20 play range, we’ll get a chance to look a couple other guys and each game will a little different format so we can evaluate all of them throughout the preseason.”

As far as the kicking situation is concerned, Graham Gano will start on Thursday and will alternate kicks with new-comer Neil Rackers, according to Shanahan.

Chris Cooley had a veterans day off Tuesday and did not practice. With Darrel Young out you can expect to see Cooley play some fullback.

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