John Matthews
WMAL.com

TAMPA — (WMAL) The Redskins are going to have a very busy Wednesday.

The approach of a tropical storm to the Florida coast has prompted the NFL and the Tampa Bay Buccanneers to move Thursday night’s preseason game to Wednesday night at 8 pm.

“We have been in regular communication with administrators from the Tampa Sports Authority, Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa and the National Weather Service over the past day as it has become apparent that the most severe weather associated with Tropical Depression Nine will likely make landfall on Thursday,” Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford said in a release distributed by the Buccaneers Monday evening. “This decision was made by both teams in conjunction with the National Football League and local authorities in an effort to ensure the safety of our fans, players and stadium staff.”

The timing of the game means little to the Redskins’ starting players, because they are all expected to skip the final contest of the preseason to avoid injury, but the team’s 55th annual “Welcome Home” luncheon was long scheduled for Wednesday at the Hilton in Tysions Corner, and it will go on as scheduled, which means the team will literally have to eat and run to catch a plane to Florida.

“We support the decision made by the Buccaneers and the NFL,” Redskins President Bruce Allen told Redskins.com. “We look forward to our game on Wednesday.”

Third string quarterback Nate Sudfeld is expected to get the start in the game, which will largely feature players who will not make the team’s final 53-man roster.

The game will be televised on WRC, Channel 4.

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