The Sports Xchange

ASHBURN, Va. — Of the Washington Redskins’ top four cornerbacks entering training camp, Bashaud Breeland was the only one to play the last two weeks.

David Amerson was released in September. Chris Culliver (left knee) and DeAngelo Hall (right big toe) are hurt.

The Lone (remaining) Ranger, Breeland collected three first-half takeaways Sunday in a 34-20 loss to the New York Jets. He had an interception and two fumble recoveries, including one in which he ripped the ball away from wide receiver Brandon Marshall. That one came straight from the film room.

“During film study we saw that (Marshall is) aggressive so he doesn’t let you take him down and he’s kind of careless with the ball a little bit the way he holds it,” Breeland said. “I was thinking just to take the rock.”

Breeland is the first Redskins player to recover two fumbles in a game since LaVar Arrington on Dec. 29, 2002. No Washington player had done that and also added an interception since at least the 2000 season.

–The Redskins are not known for special teams. A disaster two years ago and well below average in 2014, the unit has had its moments this season, however. Rashad Ross figured prominently in two of them and both plays came at MetLife Stadium. Ross took a kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a Sept. 24 loss to the New York Giants.

On Sunday, the Jets had just 10 men on the field for a fourth-quarter punt. The Redskins noticed and Jeron Johnson came unblocked off the edge and knocked the ball off punter Ryan Quigley’s foot. Ross was there in the end zone for the recovery and the touchdown. But just like the Giants game, Ross’ touchdown game with the game out of reach. Washington had an easy chance to recover the ensuing onside kick and linebacker Mason Foster couldn’t fall on it.

“It was garbage ball after that,” head coach Jay Gruden said of his team falling behind 34-13 following 24 unanswered points. “We tried to make a quick comeback there at the end after the blocked punt, almost got the onside kick. Would have made things interesting, but didn’t work out.”

–Once the top run defense in the NFL, the Redskins are getting shredded routinely now as teams have adjusted. Sunday it was the Jets’ turn. They produced 136 rushing yards in the first half alone and 221 total (5.4 yards per carry). In rushing yards allowed per game, Washington has dropped to 23rd overall (118.2).

That’s in part because teams have begun sending runners to the edge and in part because the Redskins can’t afford to leave their injury-ravaged secondary without help. With Hall and Culliver out and strong safety Duke Ihenacho (fractured/dislocated left wrist) on injured reserve, they are committing resources elsewhere.

“They get you spread out and they have a couple of good receivers that you have to adjust to with all the (secondary) injuries that we’ve had,” Gruden said. “You can get your extra guys in the box, but then you’re going to risk putting those guys on an island. It’s pick your poison a little bit.”

Notes: Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw two interceptions in each of four different games this season. In 20 career games he has 24 touchdown passes to 27 interceptions. … Strong safety Trenton Robinson, the replacement for Duke Ihenacho, left Sunday’s game with a left ankle injury and did not return. He wore a walking boot in the locker room afterward. … Left tackle Trent Williams (concussion) missed Sunday’s game after starting 62 of the previous 63 games for Washington. There was no update on his status Monday from Gruden. … Tight end Jordan Reed (concussion) has missed two consecutive games. Reed had 24 receptions in only four games, and has played in 24 of a possible 38 games during his three-year career. … Running back Alfred Morris carried the ball just 11 times for 21 yards Sunday, the third-lowest output of his career. Since rushing for 121 yards in the season opener against Miami, Morris has 60 carries for 176 yards in five games.