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ASHBURN, Va. — The struggles are obvious, but the solution is not for the Washington Redskins.

Despite a rocky season, Kirk Cousins is still the Redskins’ quarterback heading into Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cousins was named the starting quarterback late in training camp, the same Cousins head coach Jay Gruden benched last October, earned the job outright ahead of Robert Griffin III.

So far, the results have been mixed. Cousins played well in wins over St. Louis and Philadelphia. He was not good in losses to the New York Giants or New York Jets. Four different times this season he has thrown a pair of interceptions in a game. So how long a leash do the Redskins give Cousins? For now, there are no signs that a change is imminent entering Sunday’s home game against Tampa Bay.

“That’s a great question and hopefully that’ll be answered here in the next few weeks, in the next five, six, seven, eight games,” Gruden said. “But I don’t want to judge a quarterback based on (last Sunday’s) game. I think Kirk has done some good things in this season to warrant him some consideration to be a starting quarterback in the National Football League for some time. Let’s see how he progresses, let’s see what happens here at the end of the year and go from there.”

Cousins threw for only 196 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, including a crucial one deep in Washington territory in the third quarter that set up New York’s go-ahead touchdown in a 34-20 loss. But an organization that has shown little patience at any position under owner Dan Snyder – at general manager, head coach or quarterback – is trying to stick with Cousins.

Gruden drew criticism this week for defending his quarterback too much. He mentioned the wind as one reason Cousins struggled against the Jets. That wasn’t often the case with Griffin last season when Gruden’s pointed comments at the podium eventually drew a private reprimand from team president Bruce Allen.

But, for once, the Redskins appear willing to tolerate struggles to see if it fosters growth. It might not. And Cousins is a free agent at the end of the season. But he remains the starter seven games into the season, albeit one in need of a rebound performance against Tampa Bay.

“There’s a rhythm, a weekly rhythm,” Cousins said. “It has helped to be in that routine and to play, good or bad, to come back from a win or a loss and evaluate the game film when you’re the guy playing and then get back into a weekly rhythm of preparation for the next team. You don’t feel the growth week in, week out, but when I look back now after seven weeks, I do feel like I’ve grown as a player. That’s encouraging.”

SERIES HISTORY: 20th regular-season meeting. Buccaneers lead series, 10-9, including last year’s 27-7 demolition of Washington at FedEx Field. It was one of just two wins for the Buccaneers in 2014. The two teams have also met twice in the postseason, both times in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers won in the NFC divisional round in 2000 when a bad snap kept the Redskins from kicking a potential game-winning field goal. Washington won their NFC divisional matchup in 2006.

GAME PLAN

–The Redskins have to get their running game going. The Jets held running back Alfred Morris to just 21 yards on the ground. Getting rookie Matt Jones (toe) back will help. Chris Thompson, a weapon out of the backfield on third downs, should play, too, though he hurt his back after a hard fall against New York and missed practice on Wednesday.

But how does Washington do that against an active Tampa Bay front that includes Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy? It doesn’t help that the Redskins were missing three of five starters on the offensive line against New York and it’s not a sure bet that left tackle Trent Williams returns on Sunday.

Washington has dropped from the NFL’s top rushing unit to 17th (107.2 yards per game). Without DeSean Jackson, they lack a true home-run threat in the passing game. But rookie Jamison Crowder has consistently shown an ability to get separation even against an elite corner like Darrelle Revis last week. Crowder has 25 receptions over the last four games.

If Kirk Cousins can find Crowder and Pierre Garcon, who did not have a pass thrown his way against New York in the second half, they should open up more room for Morris and Jones. Getting Williams back would help.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

–Redskins LG Spencer Long vs. Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy.

Long has taken over for Shawn Lauvao (ankle), who is out for the season. But the second-year pro will have his hands full with McCoy, a three-time Pro Bowler. And he’s not the only one. Tampa Bay will move McCoy around as needed along the defensive line.

–Buccaneers RB Doug Martin vs. Redskins LB Keenan Robinson.

Martin has rebounded after playing in just 15 games the past two seasons. He ranks ninth in the NFL in rushing yards (405) and is one good game from surpassing his totals each of the previous two years. Robinson’s heel injury is a concern because speed is his game and Washington’s vaunted run defense has been gashed on the edges the past two games.