The Washington Redskins have to be considered a high variance team as the 2014 NFL regular season kicks off on Sunday. You could say that this team will win four games and you could say that this team will win 10 games and both predictions would have a reasonable chance of coming true.
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One key factor for the Redskins, as it is for every team in the NFL, will be the health of their best players. That is especially true in the case of pass rusher Brian Orakpo and tight end Jordan Reed, each for his own reasons.
There is good news in Washington on Sunday morning then, as it sounds like both players are expected to be healthy and on the field for the team’s opening game against the Houston Texans.
Per Albert Breer:
Barring a setback pregame, Redskins OLB Brian Orakpo and TE Jordan Reed are a go against Houston. Both listed as questionable.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 7, 2014
Orakpo is questionable with an ankle injury. Reed is questionable with a thumb injury.
The Redskins need Orakpo on a defense that is otherwise lacking in depth. They also need all of the pass rush they can get from Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan to take the pressure off a secondary that is decidedly lacking in terms of effective players.
As for Reed, his production was huge when he played in 2013: in nine games he caught 45 passes for 499 yards and three touchdowns. He figures to be a key weapon in the middle of the field for Robert Griffin III this season.
Stay tuned to FanSided for all of the latest on the Washington Redskins and all your NFL news and analysis as the 2014 season kicks off.