» Secondary coach Jerry Gray, the new defensive spokesperson, is among those who have gotten used to defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth appearing to be seriously hurt only to return.
“You have to make sure what guy you’re dealing with,” Gray said. “Albert can go off in an ambulance and two plays later he’s coming back. We understand that right now and it’s not a total panic. If Andre Carter goes off, then all of a sudden it’s like wait a minute, something is seriously wrong. We understand who we’re dealing with.”
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» Haynesworth (ankle), defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin (elbow) and Clinton Portis (ankles) all sat out practice Thursday. Safeties Chris Horton and Kareem Moore also sat out; both are sick. Haynesworth and Griffin both are expected to play Monday vs. Philadelphia.
Punter Hunter Smith said he will test his right groin in practice Friday. He has missed the past two games.
The Eagles are equally banged up: defensive end Victor Abiamiri (knee), receiver Kevin Curtis (knee), linebacker Omar Gaither (foot/quadriceps) and corner Dimitri Patterson (hand) all sat out practice. Gaither will not play Monday and might require surgery on his foot.
» The Redskins are still waiting to get final word on left tackle Chris Samuels, who has stenosis and left the Carolina game with a stinger in his neck. The injury could be season, and career, threatening. Samuels did not play vs. the Chiefs and will miss Monday’s game vs. Philadelphia.
» Receiver Devin Thomas will make his second straight start ahead of Malcolm Kelly. Thomas did not catch a pass this past week vs. Kansas City and only had two attempts thrown his way.
“I wasn’t getting enough out of Malcolm,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. “Devin kept getting better and better. He was putting the effort in all over the place … . I don’t know if there’s a start-up cost, but I like what he’s doing. The biggest improvement I’ve seen in him is the lack of errors on the field as we had last year with him. He has more confidence. I’m saying it’s a matter of time.”
