A morning roundup of what the local and national media have to say about the Washington Redskins on Friday, December 20, 2013.

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--The Redskins have an opportunity to ruin the Cowboys season with a win on Sunday. The Cowboys are in second place in the NFC East and a loss to the Redskins would spoil their chances on making the playoffs.

--Newly acquired center J.D. Walton will not play the final two games of the season but head coach Mike Shanahan likes Walton’s potential. Shanahan said, "We like the way he played in Denver for the first couple of years. [That’s] one of the reasons we signed him."

--After practice on Thursday, head coach Mike Shanahan announced that rookie tight end Jordan Reed will not play again this season. Reed has suffered from concussion related issues holding him out of four straight games.

--Head coach Mike Shanahan as well as Redskins and Cowboys players feel that linebacker London Fletcher is one of the best ever. Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said, "I competed against him for a long, long time and he just is an outstanding player."

--With reports coming out about quarterback Robert Griffin III and his family, Redskins linebacker London Fletcher advises Griffin to exhale. Fletcher said, "This is a time for him to exhale, take a step back, and reevaluate different things."

--Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins looks to improve his play vs. the Cowboys and cut back on his turnovers. Cousins had two interceptions and a fumble to go along with his three touchdown passes.

--Five questions the Redskins must answer before they play the Cowboys on Sunday including how the Cowboys injuries will affect the game. At least six defensive starters missed some portion of practice this week including starting cornerback Morris Claiborne and linebacker Sean Lee.

--A look at Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo's season and how a strong finish will impact his contract negotiations this offseason. Orakpo currently leads the team in sacks with 10 and is one away from matching his career high 11 set in his rookie season in 2009.

--Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan dismisses any stories about having ill feelings toward his father. Shanahan said, "I came here with a goal to win here, and I’ll keep trying to do that until they don’t want us here."

--Kyle Shanahan backs quarterback Robert Griffin III and dismisses reports that Griffin is uncoachable. Shanahan said, "He’s been awesome to work with since we’ve gotten him."

--Five important notes from Thursday's post practice press conferences including what defensive coordinator Jim Haslett had to say about linebacker Brian Orakpo. Haslett made a key point that Orakpo's play has been impressive due to the fact that he doesn't rush the passer every down and still has ten sacks on the season.

--Left tackle Trent Williams returned to practice on Thursday after not practicing on Wednesday. Williams suffered a minor right knee sprain vs. Atlanta but finished the game.

--NFL analyst Chris B. Brown gives some insight as to why quarterback Robert Griffin III struggled this season. Brown lists footwork and blitz recognition as two major factors for his increase in interceptions thrown and sacks taken.

--London Fletcher feels that the Redskins should extend head coach Mike Shanahan's tenure in Washington to build a stable and winning team. Fletcher said, "You should extend him, as crazy as that may sound, to continue to let him build this thing the right way."

--Former NFL receiver Cris Collinsworth commented on the Washington Redskins franchise on Showtime's Inside the NFL. Collinsworth said, "I have honestly never seen anything like what’s going on in Washington right now."

--A look at the Redskins free agents that may be playing in their last game at FedExField vs. the Cowboys. The Redskins have 16 pending free agents going into Sunday's game and one reporter describes who should be resigned heading into next season.

--A look at head coach Mike Shanahan's contract and what the Redskins will do with or without the head coach. One reporter speculates that former Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak could come to Washington as the offensive coordinator if Kyle Shanahan is no longer with the team.

--Why senator Harry Reid feels the Redskins should change their name. Reid compared the Redskins to the Bullets and their name change.

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What's Trending In @Redskins Nation?

1) #tbt Look back to '05 season and the "Monday Night Miracle" with@EIGHTTODANINE vs the #Cowboys. #DallasWeek #HTTRhttp://t.co/xARzmuisKM

2) More #TBT: 1995 was a good year for the #Redskins (to beat the#Cowboys) #DallasWeek http://t.co/AcCiUgT4XXhttp://t.co/83k02KGKGr

3) With comparisons already out there, check out numbers & backgrounds of L. Fletcher and former #Ravens LB R. Lewis:http://t.co/CsAlwZPTs6

4) Meet Sofia Vos, England's newest #Redskins fan: 6 lbs, 2 ozs, almost named after Art Monk: http://t.co/00tPVmY9jnhttp://t.co/cWEWn2WF8N

5) Shanahan: TE @RealJordanReed saw a concussion specialist and will be placed on season-ending Injured Reserve.

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