Already taking an increased role this season as a full-time starter, cornerback David Amerson is now the team's No. 1 cornerback with three-time Pro Bowler DeAngelo Hall out for the remainder of the season with a ruptured left Achilles.
While it's certainly a tall task for the second-year cornerback -- the Redskins' second-round selection in last year's NFL Draft -- he's confident he can produce against the game's best wide receivers.
A look back at some of the top images in games between the Washington Redskins and New York Giants.
"I'm definitely ready to step up," Amerson told the media on Monday. "And I'm sure the other guys [are ready] as well.
"We all know [Bashuad] Breeland can play and Tracy [Porter] should be coming back, so I think we'll be ready."
In three starts this season, Amerson has logged 13 tackles – second most by defensive backs on the team behind Hall.
Amerson said he's learned the intricacies of the game from Hall over the last season-plus, and hopes that the 11-year veteran will continue working with him while he's rehabbing.
"We all talk in the group chat," Amerson said of the defensive backs. "We all talk to him and we said we're praying for him and everything. I'm sure when I see him, I'm sure I'm going to talk to him a little more.
"Hopefully, he continues to stick around and be in my ear all the time, because I definitely need that. Like I said, we're just trying to make the best of the situation."
Amerson uses his physical play to his advantage, and the 6-foot-1 cornerback said the Redskins' game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday brought out a different level of passion out of him and his teammates.
"I just feel like anytime one of our teammates go into a physical battle, a physical war, I think guys in this locker room have each other's backs," Amerson said. "We move as a family and move as a unit. I guess you got a little glimpse of that yesterday.
"A lot of emotions firing, then with DeAngelo getting hurt, there was just a lot of stuff going on."
Amerson, like his teammates, has a short week to game plan for the New York Giants before they come to town for Thursday Night Football.
He'll more than likely primarily match up against the likes of Pro Bowl wide receiver Victor Cruz – who recorded 107 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans on Sunday -- and said he's going to spend extra time at Redskins Park over the next couple days to get himself both mentally and physically ready.
"You've just got to stay mentally attached," he said. "You've got to spend extra time in the film room. You're not going to be on your feet as much, so you got to be mentally prepared. You've got to over prepare mentally.
"Physically, you've just got to take it easy. If you're banged up, you got to really monitor it, hit the training room, be there on time and do all the little things to get prepared."
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