Predicting the Redskins Inactive List Week 1

Here is the list of 7 players the Redskins will likely have inactive week 1:

CB Tracy Porter:

-Porter is dealing with a hamstring issue and has already been listed as out. Most weeks though (assuming he gets healthy) he will be active so this will be a spot someone else will be taking.

ILB Akeem Jordan:

-Jordan injured his knee in the first preseason game and is expected to miss the first couple of weeks of the season. It will be interesting to see when he’s healthy if he’s activated more. The Skins would already have two back-up ILB’s in Adam Hayward and Will Compton, but Jordan can help on special teams. It could come down to him or back-up OLB Gabe Miller most weeks.

DE Frank Kearse:

-There is no way the Redskins can keep 7 DL active, making Kearse the most likely to find himself inactive each week. In fact most weeks the Redskins may only keep 5 DL active, but given that Jason Hatcher isn’t 100% and players might not be as conditioned to go a full game, having a 6th guy active in Houston makes sense. It also figures to be a game where the Redskins will be in their base package more often as they look to defend the Texans ground attack. Rotation is going to be key for the Redskins as they go up against a good Houston offensive line.

QB Colt McCoy:

-Barring an injury to one of the top 2 QB’s, McCoy should find himself on the inactive roster each week. This is not a wasted roster spot though as McCoy offers insurance and he can run the scout team defense each week.

WR Aldrick Robinson:

-This is going to be an interesting decision. It is really tough to keep 6 WR’s active, especially when you want to feature the run. Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts are obviously going to be active, but that means one of Santana Moss, Ryan Grant or Aldrick Robinson will be sitting. Moss I think is the next safest. His experience and ability to play every wide receiver position can be invaluable as a back-up. None of the other back-ups are really adapt at playing in the slot. Robinson had very little experience before this year, and he only spent 10% of his preseason time in the slot. That 10% is more than what rookie Ryan Grant saw in the slot as he didn’t run a single route from the position during the preseason. Moss also figures to be the number 2 punt returner when Roberts needs a rest so that helps his case as well.

That leaves the inactive spot down to Robinson and Grant. Typically you would probably think the 5th round rookie would get benched week 1, but Grant doesn’t seem to be a typical 5th round rookie. Though Robinson has better deep speed and experience, Grant is the crisper route runner and possession guy. If the Redskins need to rely on their back-up receivers Grant’s skill set figures to help more with what the Redskins game plan is versus a tough Houston pass rush.

OG Spencer Long:

-Most weeks the Redskins will probably go with just 7 active offensive linemen and I think that is what we see here. I think the coaches are high on Long, but he’s probably going to be behind Josh LeRibeus at this point, so Long is likely to sit. Now I don’t think this is a permanent position for Long, as he can overtake LeRibeus, but that likely won’t happen until later in the season. Obviously injuries typically have a way of shaking up the depth chart and turning Long into an active player.

OT Tom Compton:

-With only keeping 7 offensive linemen active the Redskins have to make a decision. Do they go with the higher touted rookie back-up tackle Morgan Moses? Or do they go with the 3rd year guy Tom Compton. Neither was perfect in the preseason, but Compton really got pushed around more. While Moses is more raw, his physical abilities and potential should win out here. Also if the Redskins want to go with a jumbo package, Moses is the bigger more physical guy which helps as a 6th offensive lineman.