Injuries concern on defense

a closer look

Yesterday was an off day for the Redskins, as coach Jim Zorn allowed the players a "victory Monday" to celebrate their 20-17 victory in Seattle on Sunday.

That's not to say that nobody visited the team's Ashburn facility, though. It's the time of year when injuries begin to mount in the NFL, and the Redskins are no exception. Trainers took stock of the bumps and bruises yesterday in advance of a Sunday matchup with the 10-1 Giants.

Linebacker London Fletcher, a team captain, was getting an MRI on his ankle. So, too, was defensive end Andre Carter, who had his own ankle injury.

The problems become more pronounced at linebacker because of an earlier injury to Marcus Washington -- a high ankle sprain that will keep him out of the lineup for an extended period.

"If we don't have those guys, we'll have to play nickel," coach Jim Zorn said, referring to a formation that substitutes in an extra defensive back. "That's what any team would do if it didn't have two [starting] linebackers."

Substituting for Fletcher would be H.B. Blades, and replacing Washington would be Alfred Fincher. Those substitutions would leave just Khary Campbell, who is mostly used on special teams, as an emergency substitute.

Zorn hopes it doesn't come to that -- and doesn't yet know if Fletcher will miss any time -- but wants to have his backup plan ready.

He'll also need one at defensive end, a position that has had injuries all season. Carter's MRI will determine the team's depth at the position, which will be boosted this week by the return of Anthony Montgomery. Cornelius Griffin got a "stinger" in his shoulder yesterday but will likely practice this week.

The big concern is Kedric Golston, who continued to play Sunday despite a bone spur in his foot.

"He went to heroics," Zorn said. "I'm sure everybody was wondering why I wasn't taking him off the field, but when he got down in his stance he could still burst."

Golston finished the game despite limping off after every series -- the "Jim Zorn limp," the coach joked, referring to ankle injuries from his playing career. Golston was taken to the locker room on a cart after the game.

The defensive line does have good news in the form of Jason Taylor, who played a complete game yesterday and was given more flexibility in how he attacks the quarterback. He stood like a linebacker instead of crouching like an end and got pressure on Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck.

On offense, the injury concerns are less pronounced, mostly because of the toughness of Clinton Portis. The running back plowed his way back to the top of the league leader board yesterday despite limited practice time all week. After the game, he described blood running down both arms and legs.

For the past two weeks, Portis has been a game-time decision but suited up and played. Quarterback Jason Campbell joked on Sunday that "he needs to just tell us all the truth and say that he's not going to practice all week, then he's going to play."

That could be the situation again this week, though Zorn is encouraging him to get as many snaps as he can, even if it's not at full speed.

"As little as he practiced, I think every little bit of it did help," Zorn said.

Zorn was also less than sympathetic to the players who complained about Seattle's artificial playing surface. He said the one at Qwest Field is much better than the concrete-like surface he spent years on when he was a Seahawk. "I think it's much more forgiving," he said. "But it is just plastic grass. So there are going to be some burns."

Flex game implemented: The NFL has chosen to switch the kickoff time on the December 7 game between the Redskins and Ravens in Baltimore. Both teams are 7-4 and second in their divisions. Kickoff will now be at 8:15 p.m.