Day 2 went better than the first day for the offense, especially one player in particular. It just so happens to be one of the newest, and most important, players on the roster.
RG3 update: After struggling in his first training camp practice, Robert Griffin III showed marked improvement in Day 2. He was more accurate, with no passes intercepted and few balls hitting the ground. He was more accurate on the move, especially going to his left -- a strength of his at Baylor. When he’s going right, Griffin usually puts passes where only his receivers have a chance, and he did that Thursday on an out route to Leonard Hankerson, who had DeAngelo Hall draped all over him yet still made the grab. Hall had no shot at the pass. Griffin also is working a lot out of the pistol formation, though the timing on this play is not yet right. He fumbled the ball after pulling it out from running back Evan Royster's grasp on one play. Griffin also flashed his speed to the corner on a bootleg run, picking up nearly 10 yards with defenders in pursuit.
Rookie report: Griffin isn’t the only rookie to watch in camp, though he’ll be the only one opening as the starter. Center Josh LeRibeus, a third-round pick, has done a solid job facing backups. On a couple plays Thursday, LeRibeus appeared to lose leverage by lunging too much at the defender. That wasn’t the case Friday. He was able to control last year’s backup nose tackle Chris Neild on several occasions.
Battle plans: When it comes to the running back battle, coach Mike Shanahan insists he doesn’t know what he’ll do. Health will determine his plans, at least to a certain degree. Last year’s opening game starter Tim Hightower is still not 100 percent after having ACL surgery last November. In fact, coach Mike Shanahan said, “He’s not even close to 100 percent.” That means Roy Helu and Evan Royster will get plenty of chances to prove themselves. Hightower is practicing, but it’s uncertain when he’ll play in a game during the preseason.
Coming and going: The Redskins claimed receiver Dezmon Briscoe off waivers from Tampa Bay. According to multiple reports, Briscoe failed the Bucs’ conditioning test this week. He led Tampa with six touchdown catches last season (and the Redskins new secondary coach is ex-Bucs coach Raheem Morris). The Redskins have better depth at receiver, so it’ll be tough for Briscoe to make the final roster. They released receiver Brian Hernandez.
Injury report: Right tackle Jammal Brown will undergo an MRI on his hip in New York on Tuesday. He wanted to wait until he could see his doctor, and the earliest date was Tuesday. Brown was placed on the physically unable to perform list Thursday.
John Keim covers the Redskins for the Washington Examiner. Follow him on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLWAS or @John_Keim.
