If you're wondering why JaMarcus Russell was working out with the Washington Redskins today, two days after Donovan McNabb was benched for Rex Grossman, you're not alone. However, it is worth noting that it's not like the Redskins worked out Russell individually. As ESPN's Adam Schefter notes, the Redskins worked out 20 people in total today, including Russell. It's not clear who else was there, or even if it was exactly 20 players, but we do know that Russell was not the only guy brought in today.
CSN Washington's Ryan O'Halloran also noted that the Redskins working out Russell may not be as big a deal as it seems.
Every NFL team works out "street" free agents every Tuesday and the Redskins chose the bye week to get a head start on future evaluations. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and assistant coaches Matt LaFleur, Bob Slowik and Steve Jackson and members of the scouting staff viewed the workout.
Normally, Tuesday is an off day for the media, but because it's a bye week, the Redskins had availability with their coordinators. In the midst of that, media was able to see that the team was working out several players, including Russell.
As for Russell's performance? John Lucas, a former NBA star that has taken Russell under his wing, told ESPN 980 that Russell threw the ball "very, very well" today. He also said that Russell has been training hard and has lost 35 pounds after hitting a rough patch in his life due to family tragedy.