Anderson Impresses As Jets Fall Short Against Redskins 22-18 In Second Preseason Game
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) -- Top running back Matt Jones left with a sprained shoulder and receiver Rashad Ross made his best case for a roster spot and the Washington Redskins came back to beat the New York Jets 22-18 Friday night in the second preseason game for each team.
While the Redskins rested several key starters, including quarterback Kirk Cousins, receiver DeSean Jackson and cornerback Josh Norman, Jones suffered an AC sprain in his left shoulder when he was pushed out of bounds and landed awkwardly in the first quarter.
Jones looked good at the time he left, running for 31 yards on seven carries after rushing for only a yard last week in the opener at Atlanta.
Jones' injury could spell trouble for the Redskins (1-1), who have very little experience behind him at running back after letting Alfred Morris leave for Dallas in free agency. Third-down back Chris Thompson, rookies Robert Kelley and Keith Marshall and second-year player Mack Brown split the bulk of the carries after Jones left.
With Jackson and Pierre Garcon getting the night off, Ross made the most of his opportunity, catching two touchdown passes from backup quarterback Colt McCoy, who was 13 of 16 for 159 yards. Ross had three catches for 58 yards.
The Jets (1-1) got an impressive receiving performance from undrafted rookie Robby Anderson, who made six catches for 131 yards. The Temple product hauled in a 50-yard pass from third-stringer Bryce Petty and made a 42-yard touchdown catch.
Cornerback Darrelle Revis, who didn't play last week against Jacksonville, made an impact in his preseason debut, picking off McCoy in the end zone during Washington's opening drive. Starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was 4 of 9 for 35 yards, and Bilal Powell ran for 23 yards on three carries.
Rookie Nate Sudfeld led Washington on the game-winning drive, completing it with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Kendal Thompson with 29 seconds left.
ROOKIE WATCH
Jets: QB Christian Hackenberg didn't get into the game despite coach Todd Bowles saying it was a possibility.
Redskins: Sudfeld, a sixth-round pick out of Indiana playing against brother Zach for the first time, was 10 of 20 for 77 yards, with most of that coming on the final drive.
POSITION BATTLES
Jets: K Ross Martin, a rookie out of Duke, made a 40-yard field goal and hit the right upright on an extra-point attempt. Nick Folk made his extra-point attempt.
Redskins: Along with Ross, WR Ryan Grant had four catches for 43 yards. --- OL Spencer Long's costly hands-to-the-face penalty that led to a safety didn't help him in a competition at left guard against Shawn Lauvao, though it came with him at center.
INJURY UPDATE
Jets: LB Erin Henderson left with a shoulder injury. --- WR Quincy Enunwa suffered a head injury while causing a fumbled punt return by Jamison Crowder. --- CB Dee Milliner left with an arm injury and DL Lawrence Thomas with a shoulder injury. --- RB Matt Forte (hamstring) was active but did not play. --- DE Muhammad Wilkerson did not dress despite being a full participant in practice for two consecutive days as he works back from a broken right leg suffered in the regular-season finale. --- RBs Romar Morris (shoulder) and Dominique Williams (concussion) and C Nick Mangold (undisclosed) also did not dress.
Redskins: LT Trent Williams (sore right knee) was held out for the second consecutive game. --- Jones sat on the bench with a sling on his left arm after halftime. --- The team did not list an injury for the absences of Cousins, Jackson, Garcon, Norman, TE Jordan Reed, CB Bashaud Breeland or LBs Ryan Kerrigan and Will Compton.
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