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5 position battles to watch in Washington Redskins Preseason Week 1

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 12: Defensive end Ziggy Hood (90) of the Washington Redskins hits quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter at FedExField on September 12, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 12: Defensive end Ziggy Hood (90) of the Washington Redskins hits quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter at FedExField on September 12, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) of the Alabama Crimson Tide attempts to sack quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) of the Clemson Tigers during the second half of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) of the Alabama Crimson Tide attempts to sack quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) of the Clemson Tigers during the second half of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

1. Rush Linebacker: Ryan Anderson vs. Junior Galette

Originally, Preston Smith was supposed to be a part of this battle. However, Smith injured his ankle recently and will be out for a week or two. Smith was considered to be the current starter at the position for the Redskins with Trent Murphy suspended for the first four games of the season in 2017. Now, two other players will get a chance to prove themselves.

Ryan Anderson and Junior Galette could not be at more different points in their careers. Anderson is a second round rookie out of Alabama. He has a reputation as a hard-working player whose effort has led to his ability to succeed as a pass rusher. The Redskins drafted him in hopes of working him in as a rotational player and developing him into a starter.

Meanwhile, Galette is an NFL veteran who has not played a snap since 2014. In his last two seasons with the New Orleans Saints, he recorded a combined 22 sacks and was a ferocious pass rushing threat. He had athletic ability and great burst that allowed him to succeed. Then, Galette was released by the team after a controversial video of him appeared on the Internet. The Redskins scooped him up hoping that he could be a starter for their team.

Instead, Galette injured his Achilles in each of the past two seasons and has still never played a snap for the Redskins. He is now getting one final chance to prove himself, and Thursday may be one of his best chances to do so.

Next: Previewing Redskins vs. Ravens in Preseason Week 1

The better of the two performers in this battle will get a chance to overtake Smith in the battle for the starting job. Thus, it is the most intriguing positional battle of Week 1, as it involves the most interesting players with the most on the line.

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