WASHINGTON — The Redskins practiced Tuesday and then scattered for their bye week, ostensibly the lone peaceful time in a hectic season, with little sign that the controversy surrounding the late-game benching of quarterback Donovan McNabb was subsiding.
Coach Mike Shanahan explained, for the third consecutive day, why he sat McNabb in the waning moments of Sunday’s loss to Detroit. McNabb said he and Shanahan had put the issue behind them, though McNabb acknowledged he “absolutely” was insulted by having to answer questions about his work habits and conditioning.
Kyle Shanahan, the offensive coordinator and coach’s son, sought to clarify his father’s explanations for his decision, downplaying McNabb’s poor conditioning was a factor in the benching. But he also injected an additional twist to the story, saying McNabb had been told there might be a chance he could be benched in favor of backup Rex Grossman if the Redskins needed to run their two-minute offense.
“Uh, I didn’t hear that part,” McNabb said when asked about the remarks.
Meanwhile, the team worked out quarterback JaMarcus Russell — a former No. 1 overall draft pick who was cut by Oakland in May — along with several other players, including quarterback J.P. Losman.
“At this point, I’m just at ease with it,” McNabb said.
The Redskins’ next game is Nov. 15 against the Eagles.
“We’ll be hearing about this all throughout the bye week leading up to the Monday night game that just so happens we’ll be playing against the Philadelphia Eagles,” McNabb said. “How about that?”
