Redskins.com's Stephen Czarda and Jake Kring-Schreifels break down the key plays and highlights from Day 12 of the Washington Redskins' 2017 training camp in Richmond, Va.

Offense:

--The Redskins returned to practice on Saturday, just two days after competing in the preseason opener against the Ravens in Baltimore. While wide receivers Josh Doctson (hamstring) and Jamison Crowder (hamstring) and tight end Jordan Reed (toe) once again did not practice during unit drills, quarterback Trent Williams continued to work on his rhythm with new wide receiver Terrelle Pryor Sr. During the first period of 11-on-11 work, Cousins dropped back to launch a throw that was perfectly placed to Pryor just over cornerback Josh Norman. In Thursday's game, Cousins tried to hit the 6-foot-4 wide receiver but placed it a little too high. On this specific throw, though, the quarterback was right on the money.

--Just a few plays after that connection, tight end Derek Carrier made perhaps the catch of the day when he extended out to make a diving grab during the final play of the first set of 11-on-11 drills.

--Cousins' longest completion of the day, meanwhile, was a deep bomb to wide receiver Ryan Grant in 7-on-7 work that would have been a 50-yard touchdown. On the play, Cousins launched the ball more than 40 yards down the field to a streaking Grant, who caught the ball in between three defensive players for the score.

--During red zone work, the first-team offense rode running back Rob Kelley hard, giving the second-year Tulane product the ball on the first four plays of the drive before Cousins attempted two passes. Washington wants to be more productive inside the 20-yard line this season after finishing 30th in red zone scoring last year. Redskins head coach Jay Gruden has noted a few times that a strong running game will go a long way in boosting that ranking.

--One offensive line note: with Kevin Bowen waived Saturday with an injury designation, Vinston Painter worked with the third-team offense at left tackle in addition to his normal duties as second-team right tackle.

--And here's an injury update on Reed: Gruden said on Saturday during his pre-practice press conference that the Pro Bowl tight end got "special orthotics" and that the team will re-evaluate him before next Saturday's home preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers.

(Stephen Czarda)

Defense:

--The Redskins' defense saw many of its starters out on Saturday following Thursday's game against the Ravens. Fortunately for the defensive backs group, the team received backup help from rookie cornerback Fabian Moreau and safety Montae Nicholson, both of whom took the field during team drills  with full pads on for the first time since being drafted last spring. Moreau, a third-round pick, had been recovering with a pectoral injury, and finally got a chance to line up with wide receivers with two days left of camp in Richmond. He wasn't afraid to get physical with fellow rookie Robert Davis during 1-on-1's and took reps with the second team for most of practice. He will still need some time to get back to full speed, adjusting to double moves that receivers throw at him and making sure his legs are up at full strength. Nicholson, back after a shoulder injury, will have the same types of adjustments but already looks like he will be ready to play an enforcer in the secondary. He has good speed and, on one play, showed his physicality during a run play, banging running back Samaje Perine with his helmet and knocking him to the ground.

--The outside linebacker group was particularly thin today without Trent Murphy, whose season ended after suffering a knee injury on Thursday. With Preston Smith still out with an ankle injury, Junior Galette healing from a hamstring injury and Ryan Anderson out with a stinger from Thursday, some backups got some extra looks. Joining Ryan Kerrigan on the opposite side of the defense was Chris Carter, who had a strong first game in Baltimore. On the second team defense, Lynden Trail and Pete Robertson book ended the line, and mixed and matched with the third team, too. Trail said afterward he received around 50 snaps altogether, an opportunity he is grateful to have in spite of the circumstances at the position. One player remains a constant on the field: Ryan Kerrigan, who made a dramatic hit and knockdown of Rob Kelley in the backfield, reminding people of his presence.

--Because safety Su'a Cravens is out with some swelling in his knee, Desahzor Everett received a chance to play with the first team on Saturday beside D.J. Swearinger. Gruden has liked what he's seen from Everett at safety and special teams, and it's not unreasonable to say that the team won't be in too much of a bind if Cravens has to miss more time than expected. Another name that made an impression on Thursday was Anthony Lanier II, who recorded a sack, and looked especially good during 1-on-1 drills Saturday. He gave a nice swim move to Brandon Scherff to break through cleanly to the quarterback and gave some nice bull rushes to finish out the drill.

--In the team's red zone portion, the defense stopped the first team offense from scoring, holding steady on a fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line. The second team defense nearly did the same, but were beaten on fourth down when Colt McCoy tripped, recovered and found tight end Derek Carrier in the corner of the end zone. 

(Jake Kring-Schreifels)

Special Teams: 

--Gruden said Saturday that he'll likely have Jamison Crowder returning punts again for the season but wants to get Will Blackmon and Jonathan Allen some more reps during the preseason as backup options. Kick returner is less clear, but Chris Thompson is still the primary option, along, potentially, with Bashaud Breeland.

--Kicker Dustin Hopkins closed out practice making all four field goals, connecting from 33, 37, 40 and 43 yards. 

(Jake Kring-Schreifels)