Redskins.com's training camp practice reports come to you with news and updates as action happens on the Redskins Park practice fields:
-- 8:25 a.m. ET
Preseason Beckons
Last practice before the Redskins begin their preseason schedule with a home game against the Buffalo Bills this Friday night.
Since backups typically get a lot of playing time in preseason games, look for plenty of reps for the young players in Wednesday's warm-up.
They need all the practice time they can get to be ready.
Expect the backups to play at least three quarters of the game.
Keep an eye on the wide receivers, head coach Mike Shanahan said.
"It's competition, like I've said from the very beginning. And now we get a chance to see how they compete on game day. We'll have a game plan throughout all four preseason games. Some guys will play a little bit more, and you can't play everybody in one game.
"So we'll get a game plan relative to playing time for each game. We'll get a chance to see guys in game situations, besides a practice evaluation. You'll combine all of that and try to come up with our top six receivers."
-- 8:40 a.m. ET
Wednesday Scene-Setter
It's another scorching hot day here at Redskins training camp.
Sun is out, and there's virtually no cloud cover.
Looks like the fan turnout is a little less than previous days. So if you can brave the heat, there's plenty of room to have some fun. Come on out.
Or...follow the action on Twitter.
We're at **@Redskins.com**, Matt Terl is @RedskinsBlog and Larry Weisman is @LarryWeisman.
-- 8:42 a.m. ET
No Pads For Kemo
Nose tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu struggled with the heat in the Tuesday afternoon walk-through, but he was deemed fine afterwards.
Kemoeatu is back on the practice field for Wednesday's practice, but he is not wearing pads.
Should be a veteran's day off for him.
Coaches want to spare the 365-pounder the wear and tear in Wednesday's heat and humidity.
-- 8:48 a.m. ET
Portis, Bartel Update
Running back Clinton Portis tweaked his groin during Tuesday's practice, but he was back on the practice field on Wednesday with full pads.
Quarterback Richard Bartel tweaked his hamstring on Tuesday, and one day later he was also getting his reps on the practice field.
Good to see Portis not backing off from an injury and getting his work in. Competition will do that to you.
As for Bartel, he needs to get back in action. He is competing with John Beck -- who looked good on Tuesday -- for the third quarterback job.
-- 8:55 p.m. ET
'Stuff a Backpack' Extended
The Redskins Charitable Foundation, in partnership with World Vision--National Capital Area, has extended its "Stuff a Backpack" School Supply Drive through Thursday, Aug. 19 to collect new school supplies to help families in need get their children ready to start the school year.
Fans can drop off the school supplies at a bin at Redskins training camp.
To participate, review the list of suggested school supplies below and come to Redskins Park on Training Camp open practice days between July 29-Aug. 19 to donate your items.
All the school supplies collected will be "stuffed" in backpacks and distributed throughout the Washington Redskins market to children that could otherwise not afford to purchase new school supplies.
Fans unable to come to training camp can also participate by dropping off new supplies at any of the 10 metro area Redskins Retail Stores. A collection box will be visible and clearly marked "Redskins & World Vision" inside the stores for your convenience.
-- 9:10 a.m. ET
Focus On the Run
During the Redskins' first set of 11-on-11 action, the defense stepped up in the run game.
Fleet-footed Lorenzo Alexander came from the other side of the field to shove Larry Johnson on a sweep to the right.
Next play, H.B. Blades found a lane up the middle of the defense and stopped Willie Parker for no gain.
-- 9:15 a.m. ET
Focus On the Deep Ball
Still the first set of 11-on-11, but now the quarterbacks are trying to stretch the field.
Rex Grossman overthrows Joey Galloway on a deep sideline route. Anderson Russell impressed by speeding past Galloway to try to reach for the interception.
John Beck overthrew Devin Thomas on another deep route. Kareem Moore raced ahead of Thomas into position for an interception, but he could not make a twisting, over-the-shoulder catch.
-- 9:20 a.m. ET
Happy Returns
The Redskins worked through a series of punt return drills midway through practice.
First the emphasis was on punt coverage, with Justin Tryon and Kevin Barnes racing downfield to get into position for a tackle.
Punt returners included Phillip Buchanon, Terrence Austin and Brandon Banks.
Josh Bidwell displayed a booming leg on his series of punts, which included several kicks from the back of the end zone.
-- 9:40 a.m. ET
Inside the Red Zone
Recent Redskins practices have included a lengthy series of red zone drills midway through practice.
Here are some highlights from Wednesday's action:
- First play, Donovan McNabb McNabb rolled left and could not find an open receiver. As he scrambled, he pump faked several times, freezing Andre Carter twice. McNabb was able to pick up a few yards.
- Next play, McNabb dropped back with plenty of time in the pocket. He fired a pass to the back of the end zone to Roydell Williams for a touchdown. Williams was well-covered but he found a seam between defenders
- McNabb connected with Bobby Wade for another red zone touchdown. Wade caught the ball just in front of Phillip Buchanon, who was a step from knocking the ball away.
- Rex Grossman pump faked, then threw a floating, wobbly pass to Bobby Wade in the back of the end zone. Wade made a leaping grab for the touchdown.
- Grossman tossed a quick pass to rookie Dennis Morris across the middle. Chris Draft converged on him for the stop.
- Ryan Torain showed good awareness finding a small hole on a run to the left. Torain raced through the hole and weaved his way into the end zone for a score.
- At the 10-yard line, John Beck scrambled to the left and found open space. He raced to end zone – McNabb started cheering him – but had to cut inside of a hard-charging Robert Henson. It would have been a hard collision if Henson had not backed off.
- Red zone drills come to an end with Beck firing a quick pass to rookie Shay Hodge one-yard inside the end zone. Touchdown.
-- 9:55 a.m. ET
Beck vs. Bartel
For the second day in a row, John Beck took all of the third-team reps in 11-on-11 work.
Richard Bartel can only watch from the sidelines. He remains slowed by a hamstring injury.
We'll see if he's available for the preseason game this Friday night vs. Buffalo.
Beck has looked wildly inconsistent, which is to be expected. He looks sharp on short throws – he has a good connection with rookie Shay Hodge – but does not have accuracy yet on intermediate and deep routes.
-- 10:02 a.m. ET
Haynesworth Update
It has been a while since there was an Albert Haynesworth update, so here we go.
With Ma'ake Kemoeatu getting a veteran's day off, Haynesworth worked with the first-team defensive line on Wednesday.
Haynesworth, playing nose tackle, was stuffed by Casey Rabach on one play.
Later, he was working with the second team again.
No matter where Haynesworth lines up, he has a real presence.
-- 10:10 a.m. ET
You Didn't Read This
For the second practice in a row, the Redskins ran a series of Wildcat plays.
Brandon Banks and Willie Parker took turns as the quarterback, with John Beck running to the outside as a wide receiver.
This is in preparation for the Bills, who are expected to run a handful of Wildcat plays in Friday's preseason game.
Mike Shanahan joked – I think – on Tuesday that he did not want reporters writing about the team's Wildcat formation.
Of course, when there are several thousand fans in attendance, it's kind of hard to not make a note of it.
"I knew it would eventually get out," Shanahan acknowledged.
-- 10:15 a.m. ET
Play Of the Day
John Beck continued to take the bulk of reps in the latter part of practice.
Late in 11, Beck handed off to Ryan Torain, who flipped the ball back to Beck.
Flea flicker!
Beck stepped up in the pocket and lofted a deep throw to Anthony Armstrong 50 yards downfield.
Armstrong made a sensational grab ahead of Ramzee Robinson for the score.
The play, easily the best of the day, drew a loud ovation from fans.
-- 10:20 a.m. ET
Practice Ends Early
The Redskins cut Wednesday's open practice about a half-hour earlier than normal.
The heat and humidity is the likely reason. It's hot out here.
My guess is the situation with Ma'ake Kemoeatu on Tuesday – he left the afternoon walk-through early to get more fluids in his body – suggested to coaches they needed to be more cautious.
-- 10:28 a.m. ET
Rabach Speaks
For media, there are always a handful of go-to guys after practice.
Casey Rabach is one of them.
He is surrounded by reporters and cameras as he walks off the field.
"This Friday's preseason game is kind of a measuring stick for us," he said. "Where are we at? What are we going to do? Hopefully we do well and we keep the momentum going into the season."
-- 10:35 a.m. ET
Kemoeatu Speaks
Last year, Ma'ake Kemoeatu had a taste of what life is like after football.
He's not ready for that yet.
Kemoeatu makes his return to the NFL gridiron this Friday night in the Redskins' preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills.
A year ago, as a member of the Carolina Panthers, Kemoeatu was sidelined for the season with an Achilles injury.
"I was out for the whole season last year, and now I'm just excited to get back out on the field," he said. "I would love to play football for as long as I can."
Kemoeatu had a scare on Tuesday afternoon this week when he was carted off the field due to dehydration during a walk-through.
On Wednesday, Kemoeatu said he was fine.
"I'll definitely be able to go [Friday night]," he said. "It just got a little hot and I wasn't take care of myself the way I should be. The heat caught up with me a little bit, but I'm all good now."
-- 11:38 a.m. ET
Scott Update
Reserve defensive end Darrion Scott was carted off the field during practice due to dehydration.
Scott was given treatment by athletic trainers and reported to be fine after practice.
"He was dehydrated, that happens a lot with these temperatures," Mike Shanahan said. "It happened early in practice with him, which is a little unusual. But he got an IV and he's fine right now."
-- 11:42 a.m. ET
Haynesworth to Play vs. Bills
Albert Haynesworth is expected to play in Friday night's preseason opener against Buffalo, according to head coach Mike Shanahan.
Haynesworth has participated in three full practices since passing his conditioning test last weekend.
On Wednesday, Haynesworth took the bulk of first-team reps at nose tackle with Ma'ake Kemoeatu sitting out the session.
"When the number one guy goes down, the number two guy goes up," Shanahan said. "He had a good practice…He had a number of reps, but we cut practice a little short two days before the game."
Asked if Haynesworth was in football shape well enough to play, Shanahan replied: "We're just getting started -- we've only been practicing a couple days. It's a process. He'll get a chance to play, along with a number of other players," Shanahan said.
-- 11:46 a.m. ET
Horton Sidelined
Chris Horton sat out practice on Wednesday with a groin injury.
Mike Shanahan said Horton is not expected to play in the Bills preseason game as a result.
Horton suffered the injury earlier this week.
With Horton out, second-year player Lendy Holmes is expected to see the bulk of playing time at strong safety once starter LaRon Landry leaves the game.
Horton joins right tackle Jammal Brown and wide receiver Malcolm Kelly on the sidelines for the game.
Stephon Heyer is expected to start at right tackle in place of Brown.
