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Redskins vs. Falcons: 5 players to watch in preseason Week 3

By Ian Cummings

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 08: Running back Derrius Guice #29 of the Washington Redskins talks with wide receiver Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns after a preseason game at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Redskins 30-10. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 08: Running back Derrius Guice #29 of the Washington Redskins talks with wide receiver Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns after a preseason game at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Redskins 30-10. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 22: Donald Penn #72 of the Oakland Raiders looks on during the third quarter of the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 22, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 20-12. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 22: Donald Penn #72 of the Oakland Raiders looks on during the third quarter of the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 22, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 20-12. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

No. 5 – Redskins LT Donald Penn

So, yeah, the Redskins still need a left tackle. Turns out, Geron Christian ain’t it. And with time fleeting before the start of the regular season, it seems as if Donald Penn is the team’s last hope for a serviceable blindside blocker.

Penn was signed earlier in the offseason when it became apparent that Trent Williams’ holdout wouldn’t be a particularly temporary affair. Now, the 36-year old may be in line to go from late-offseason signing to starter, and the circumstances couldn’t be much more urgent.

Geron Christian, whom the team drafted in 2017 as a potential future swing tackle, still hasn’t broken some dire fundamental flaws, and as a result, he’s performed poorly this preseason. Penn hasn’t been great either, but with Jay Gruden coaching for his job, and with a new quarterback in tow, no matter who gets the starting job, Penn needs to come ready to work.

For the past few weeks, Penn has been working himself back into shape. He has the experience, the aggression, and the fundamental knowledge to consummate a starter mentally, but physically, his lack of mobility has been issue on the field. It was just two years ago when Penn was deemed a quality starter across the league, but as of now, it’s unclear just how far in the past those days are.

The trajectory seems to be pointing toward a Penn start at left tackle sometime in the future. If that start comes in Week 3, we may get an answer, as to how much true utility he brings.

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