1. RB Tim Hightower. He missed the final 11 games after tearing his ACL and was unable to participate in the spring practices. If healthy he’ll start ahead of Roy Helu and Evan Royster. But the first season after an ACL injury often means bad news for running backs. He’ll be fine in terms of physical ability, but this offense requires a lot of plant-and-cuts, so he’ll have to feel confident in his knee.
2. WR Leonard Hankerson. He finally showed life with a 106-yard day vs. Miami on Nov. 13, only to tear the labrum in his hip. He needed surgery in the offseason when rest and rehab didn’t take and he was unable to practice in the spring. Hankerson and Redskins coaches say he’ll be ready when camp starts Thursday, but you can’t assume he’ll be a big factor in the passing game for a while. There’s still a notion that he’s too much of a long strider to run all the necessary routes in this system. So even if healthy Hankerson has much to prove. The Redskins also have Josh Morgan and Santana Moss, both of whom play the Z and slot positions like Hankerson.
3. DE Jarvis Jenkins. He looked terrific at times during his first training camp before an ACL tear ended his season in late August. The coaches were confident he could become their best defensive lineman by season’s end. But they also know it’ll take him time to feel comfortable again on the field, considering how long it’s been since he played. Also, he had an issue with not bending his knees all the time last summer, which resulted in inconsistency. Jenkins will open as the No. 3 end and should also help in the nickel package, as well.
Stay dialed in on the Washington Redskins on Twitter at @CBSSportsNFLWAS throughout the season with on-site updates from CBSSports.com RapidReports correspondent John Keim.
