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Coles, Jacobs Hobbled

By Mark Schlabach
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 3, 2004; 1:09 PM

The Redskins lost one receiver and nearly lost another one yesterday.

The team got its biggest scare of training camp yesterday when Pro Bowl receiver Laveranues Coles came up limping after slipping on the rain-slicked practice fields at Redskins Park.

During the team's brief workout, which was shortened because of inclement weather, Coles tried to chase down a pass in the corner of the end zone. He slipped through a puddle and fell in the mud, and then limped back to the huddle. Coles had a team-high 82 catches for 1,204 yards and six touchdowns last season.

"All I saw was the ball," Coles said. "Then, at the last minute, I saw the water coming. By then, it was too late. I let the ball go to try and brace myself, but by then it was too late."

Coles is trying to play through a nagging toe injury that hampered him throughout last season. He has been fitted with a special shoe and replaces the shoes often. He said the toe hurts when he makes a cut, but doesn't bother him too much when he's running straight routes.

The Redskins are without second-year receiver Taylor Jacobs, who aggravated an abdominal injury during the morning practice yesterday. Jacobs, from the University of Florida, didn't participate in the team's abbreviated practice yesterday afternoon and is listed as day-to-day. Jacobs, the team's second-round draft pick in 2003, was hampered by an abdominal injury throughout his rookie season. He played in only eight games and had three catches for 37 yards and one touchdown.

While Jacobs seems in no danger of losing a roster spot, he is battling veteran James Thrash and Darnerien McCants for the No. 3 receiver job. Coles and Rod Gardner are the team's top returning receivers.

Secret Practice

The Redskins will practice at an undisclosed site tonight to work out under lights. Coach Joe Gibbs has closed practice to the public, and the team is allowing only selected media to watch the two-hour workout.

It is believed the practice will resemble a scrimmage and will include the team's first full-contact action of training camp. The team had a special teams walk-through this morning and will have meetings this afternoon.

The team returns to Redskins Park for a 2 p.m. practice Wednesday, which will be open to the public.

Injury Report

Linebacker Chris Clemons (sprained right ankle), DE Phillip Daniels (strained abdominal muscle), T Kenyatta Jones (sprained ankle), WR Cliff Russell (strained hamstring), FB Mike Sellers (sprained ankle) and T Brandon Winey (sprained ankle) missed practice yesterday. Jones, a tackle from South Florida, did some work during the morning practice. WR Taylor Jacobs missed the afternoon practice after aggravating an abdominal muscle in the morning.

Hump Day

Veteran defensive end Regan Upshaw said the players were beginning to feel the demands of training camp, after only three days of practices.

"Today was one of those days were everybody was hurt, everybody was tired, but you had to go to work," Upshaw said, after yesterday morning's practice.


© 2004 The Washington Post Company

Redskins4Life wrote:I still cant believe we drafted Jacobs over Mike Doss. We would have had the leagues best safety tandem in Taylor/Doss for years to come. But no, Spurrier wanted Jacobs...

Jake wrote:If we drafted Doss, it would have either been Ohalete/Doss or Bowen/Doss and we wouldn't have drafted Taylor. So it was a blessing in disguise.

Justice Hog wrote:This team is starting off with a lot of "dings" this training camp. To be honest, it has me a little worried.

Jake wrote:The "undisclosed location" is at a high school that I forgot the name of. It's not top secret.

RedskinsFreak wrote:

Jake wrote:The "undisclosed location" is at a high school that I forgot the name of. It's not top secret.

It's Potomac Falls High School in Sterling.

While killing time between the practices, I was at the Redskins store in Dulles Town Center and found out that this practice is a 'private practice' for employees of FedEx.

Full autograph access (assumedly) for all.

JSPB22 wrote:

RedskinsFreak wrote:

Jake wrote:The "undisclosed location" is at a high school that I forgot the name of. It's not top secret.

It's Potomac Falls High School in Sterling.

While killing time between the practices, I was at the Redskins store in Dulles Town Center and found out that this practice is a 'private practice' for employees of FedEx.

Full autograph access (assumedly) for all.

So why hold it at a high school? Seems like Redskin Park, closed to the public of course, would be a better locale.