Redskins.com's Stephen Czarda answers YOUR questions submitted on Twitter about the Redskins' roster and more as the team prepares for a Week 13 matchup with the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
@fuzzymurray asks: After successfully running in the 2nd half against the @Giants are we going to see more @samajp32 this week? #HailMail #httr
When the Washington Redskins placed starting running back Rob Kelley on Injured Reserve two weeks ago, it opened the door for more reps for Samaje Perine.
Perine's numbers didn't pop off the page in his first nine career NFL games, as the 2017 fourth-round pick recorded just 66 carries for 210 yards (3.2 yards per carry) with no rushing touchdowns. There were also two games in which Perine didn't even record an offensive snap.
But Redskins head coach Jay Gruden preached patience with the 22-year-old. That has paid off over Washington's last two games, as Perine has combined for 27 carries for 217 yards and one touchdown. He's also recorded four catches for 39 yards.
"I think that you can see that he gets better as the game goes on so far and that's what's been the most impressive," said Redskins head coach Jay Gruden last week. "I've liked the fact that after his 10th carry he's better than his first carry, and his 12th carry he's better than his 10th carry. He just continues to get better and better, his vision has been good and his decisiveness has been outstanding."
Perine's back-to-back performances haven't been seen in Washington since Jay Gruden was named head coach back in 2014. With consecutive performances north of the 100-yard mark, Perine became the first Redskins running back with back-to-back 100-yard games since Alfred Morris in Weeks 9-10 of the 2013 season.
Additionally, Perine became the first Redskins rookie with back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since Morris in Weeks 12-14 of the 2012 season.
But Perine's production is also extending past his individual stat line, as the Redskins have won the time of possession battle in each of the last two games. That will be important this Thursday against a Cowboys team that has paced itself through the running game the last two years, although Ezekiel Elliot won't be around this time to lead the way.
In four of Dallas' six losses this season, it's opponent has won the possession battle. And in those six losses, opponents have combined for 934 rushing yards.
@MCREDSKINS asks: My biggest question is: How close are we to having our Oline back #HailMail
No unit on a team ravished with injuries has been impacted more than the offensive line, as only right tackle Morgan Moses has been able to start all 11 games so far this season.
Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, of course, has been battling a knee injury that has made him inactive in three of the Redskins' last five games while guard Shawn Lauvao and center Spencer Long were placed on Injured Reserve last week. 2015 first-round pick and Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff also missed two games for the first time in his career.
While injuries to the starters are already bad enough, Washington has also seen swing tackle Ty Nsekhe and center Chase Roullier miss time, too, with injuries.
The Redskins won't be able to return Lauvao or Long in the short-term, but they could have Williams back for this Thursday's game against the Cowboys.
When he does return to the lineup, the Redskins could slide Nsekhe over to guard from tackle. It was something the team experimented with in Washington's Week 11 game against the New Orleans Saints after Shawn Lauvao exited the game in the first half.
The Redskins used Tony Bergstrom at left guard for the final three plays of the first half before Nsekhe took over for the entirety of the second half.
"[Offensive line coach/assistant head coach] Bill [Callahan] wanted to try him at guard. He has been here a little bit while and felt more comfortable with him at guard and Trent at tackle," Gruden said. "That's the way it went and Ty played pretty well for never playing it. Now that he can play tackle and guard, it's very beneficial. He might have to play only tackle. …He might have to play guard. He knows them all. Smart guy."
Roullier also is ramping up his rehab work after undergoing hand surgery. Prior to being inactive last Thursday, the rookie out of Wyoming started all four of Washington's games between Weeks 8-11.
"It's his snap hand, so we've got to see if he has enough functional movement to be able to snap the ball, that's the big thing, and what type of cast he can play with," Gruden said on Sunday. "Obviously he can't play with the same club that Matt Ioannidis plays with. It's a very similar injury. So if he can somehow get something where his fingers are free and can snap it, he's got a chance to go. But we'll have to wait and see."
@clking61 asks: #HailMail what kinda chance so we have to see Johnathan Allen again this year? Any updates on his foot ?
All was quiet on the Jonathan Allen front until Monday afternoon when he began on-field rehab work with the team's training staff at the Inova Sports Performance Center at Redskins Park in Loudoun County Va.
Allen is getting closer to the window for eligibility to return should he be healthy enough to do so and the team sees fit. As NFL rules state, a player can return to practice six weeks after being placed on Injured Reserve and can return to game action eight weeks after being placed on Injured Reserve.
After suffering a Lisfranc injury in Washington's Week 6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Allen was placed on Injured Reserve on Oct. 19. His six-week window for potentially returning to practice could come after the Redskins' Thursday Night Football matchup with the Cowboys this week and he could be activated as soon as Washington's Week 15 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.
"He's coming along good," Gruden said. "He's right on schedule to return when he's allowed to return. Hopefully he can start practicing when we get back [from Dallas]…and then hopefully he'll be ready to go."
Also remember that the NFL now allows two players to return off Injured Reserve, so Allen may not be the only player that could get back into game action this season.
