Washington wide receiver Curtis Samuel returned to practice on Monday after missing practically all summer with a groin injury.
After practice, Washington coach Ron Rivera appeared cautiously optimistic about Samuel’s availability for Sunday’s Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I thought Curtis looked good. He moved around well,” Rivera said, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “We didn’t want to go out and overwork him and risk him tightening up or anything like that. We thought the things we asked him to do; he looked pretty good.”
Samuel also spoke after Monday’s practice.
“I’m feeling good right now,” he said.
However, things took a turn for the worse on Wednesday when just a few plays into practice, Samuel apparently reaggravated the groin injury and immediately left the practice field.
After practice, Rivera didn’t seem too concerned if Samuel was to miss some time.
Ron Rivera: "If Curtis plays, great, and if he doesn't, great, because we have a lot of confidence in the other guys."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 8, 2021
Washington’s No. 1 wide receiver, Terry McLaurin, offered a similar sentiment.
Terry McLaurin says Washington is confident in young WRs if Curtis Samuel cant play on Sunday
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 8, 2021
Washington is in a much different position in 2021 than last season. There is depth at wide receiver. Adam Humphries is the slot receiver and will see plenty of targets. Rookies Dyami Brown and Dax Milne were outstanding in training camp; Cam Sims had a breakout season in 2020, while DeAndre Carter can offer some of the things Washington expected from Samuel.
Then, Washington has McLaurin, tight end Logan Thomas and running backs Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic and Jaret Patterson.
Despite possibly being without Samuel on Sunday, Washington should be in good shape while Samuel works to get fully healthy.
