Redskins players said they intend to mix some sightseeing with football business on this trip.
But Spurrier has said in recent days he has no idea how the Redskins will look. They arrive with the middle of their offensive line in disarray and with their most experienced quarterback, Matthews, not scheduled to play. Spurrier plans for Sage Rosenfels and Danny Wuerffel to each play a half, with Rosenfels getting the starting nod because he is the club’s lone holdover quarterback from last season.
Wash OL: The Redskins will count it as a major success if any combination of Rod Jones, Kipp Vickers, Ross Tucker and Alex Sulfsted can keep the backfield clear.
Spurrier indicated that he prepared a scaled-down game plan to face the 49ers, and said: “It’s a little bit like a bowl game. You take your team different places to play a bowl game. Sometimes those bowl games don’t mean a heck of a lot in college. But we keep score. There’s a winner and a loser. Shoot, they’re going to try to win and we’re going to try to win. It could be a heck of a game, but it’s different than a regular season game.”
Washington, 13 ½ plane ride Thursday, little sleep and many lineman squeeze into their seats.
Defensive end Otis Leverette did not accompany the team on the trip to Japan, Spurrier said. An MRI exam revealed that the knee injury he suffered in practice this week was a partially torn ligament that will keep him sidelined for about six weeks, according to Spurrier. . . .
Left tackle Chris Samuels missed the morning practice Friday. Team officials said he was sick. Without Samuels, Rod Jones practiced with the starting offense at left tackle while Ross Tucker and Kip Vickers worked with the starters at guard. . . .
Linebacker LaVar Arrington suffered a minor toe injury during practice but was not expected to miss any practice or playing time.
SFN: Starters are expected to play into the second quarter.
Garcia won’t even see that much action. If the 49ers’ first drive is a long one, Garcia will sit immediately afterward.
Guard Dave Fiore will play center for Jeremy Newberry, who was left behind to rehabilitate his slightly torn right calf muscle. Fiore and the rest of the starting offensive line will stay in for a series or two to work with Rattay, who’s expected to carry the team into the third quarter.
BYU rookie Brandon Doman then will get a look, and if there’s time, Cade McNown will finish.
Washington three-way battle for QB, also several receivers with no big stars. SFN good battle for backup.