Kirk Cousins is trying to prove that he can be the franchise quarterback for the Washington Redskins. He is doing so without his top wide receiver and tight end on the field. With Niles Paul out for the year and DeSean Jackson not yet healthy from a hamstring injury, Cousins is working on depth to get him by and Ryan Grant and Andre Roberts are stepping up to the challenge.
The Cousins-Pierre Garcon connection is expected as he becomes the leading receiver with Jackson sidelined. However, Grant and Caldwell are enjoying the targets thrown their way. According to the Washington Post, both receivers could become very important in Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons as neither Jackson nor Jordan Reed are expected to play. The tight end is currently dealing with a knee sprain and concussion issues which makes him doubtful. Jackson is just now starting to ramp up work in practice.
Head coach Jay Gruden made it clear that the Redskins have talent at the receiver position to make up for injuries. Rookie Jamison Crowder is quickly impressing as he paired well with Garcon in Week 4. Veteran Roberts is keeping himself in the mix along with Grant who is making the most of passes thrown his way. Gruden was quick to praise Crowder for how quickly he has developed into a reliable threat for the team going forward.
"The way he played in college is the way he's playing now," Gruden said, via the Washington Post. "He's just a football player that you can see, loves it - tough, quick, explosive. We had a feeling about him as a good return guy. We had a penciled-in punt returner job for him, but for him to win the starting inside slot receiver is a testament to him and how quickly he picked it up and his production."
Cousins will have his hands full passing against an Atlanta secondary that appears to be hitting their stride. The run game could be where the Redskins have their success. The Falcons have given up big rushes in the past few games as Alfred Morris and Matt Jones will become very important in Week 5. Both players had quiet games against the Philadelphia Eagles, but will be expected to step up with injuries piling on.
Gruden made a point to say that if everyone can get healthy, the Redskins offense could be one of the best. However, they have yet to have all of their weapons on the field. The two season-ending injuries in the preseason certainly did not help as the Redskins cannot afford to lose anyone else.
"We'd like to have our full arsenal of weapons healthy one time this year," Gruden said, "but I'm happy with the guys who are playing and the way they're playing."