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Redskins vs. Texans: 5 players to watch in Week 11

By Ian Cummings

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 29: Cornerback Josh Norman #24 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with free safety D.J. Swearinger #36 of the Washington Redskins after recovering a fumble against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 29: Cornerback Josh Norman #24 of the Washington Redskins celebrates with free safety D.J. Swearinger #36 of the Washington Redskins after recovering a fumble against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 30: A Washington Redskins helmet sits on the grass before the start of the Redskins and Baltimore Ravens preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 30: A Washington Redskins helmet sits on the grass before the start of the Redskins and Baltimore Ravens preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

No. 4 – OG Jonathan Cooper

Might the Redskins have, in the process of replacing Shawn Lauvao, found a offensive guard who’s better than Shawn Lauvao?

On the surface, that feat doesn’t sound all that impressive. Lauvao, when healthy, has been a suitable offensive starter for Washington, especially as a run blocker, but in recent games, his play had fallen off. It was on the drive where he suffered a torn ACL that this was too evident; Lauvao was called for holding and then got bulldozed as a pass blocker.

Now, Lauvao is on the road to recovery, but it’s fair to wonder if he’ll ever take back his spot on the starting lineup. That’s not to say that a permanent replacement has been found. But the time to move on from Lauvao was yesterday, and today, Jonathan Cooper is making his case to keep the job.

light. Related Story. Redskins Week 10 postgame Reality Checks

Cooper, despite having only a few days to prepare for his season debut against Tampa Bay, played exceptionally well as the team’s left guard. His Pro Football Focus grade, after one game, is 44.2, but that number is horrendously misleading. He was called for three penalties, which likely factored heavily into that grade, but he showed keen awareness and adequate physical ability while on the field. He looked more the part of a starter than Lauvao has looked in a long time.

Will more preparation and time bring out even better play from Cooper? This weekend, against a Texans defensive line with a reputation, we’ll get to take a closer look.

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