Springs close to returning to Redskins lineup
ASHBURN, Va. ?
Shawn Springs took part in practice for the third consecutive day Friday, giving the Washington Redskins hope that their best cornerback will make his season debut Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
"It'll be a game-time decision," coach Joe Gibbs said. "He looked real good this week."
However, the Redskins could be without their top two defensive tackles.
Cornelius Griffin and
Joe Salave'a did not practice this week.
Springs had surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle eight weeks ago, then strained the groin in his right leg when he first attempted to return to practice three weeks ago. He came back this week and intercepted a pass during drills on Thursday.
Without Springs, the secondary has struggled. The Redskins are ranked 28th against the pass and have allowed more plays of 20-plus yards than any team except Green Bay.
Springs remains listed as questionable, and he will only play in a reserve role if he is deemed fit to suit up against the Titans.
"It'll be a boost whenever he gets back in there," Gibbs said. "Now should he play, you're not talking about anybody who's going to start a ball game. But he's going to get some snaps."
The news was not as good along the line. Griffin, who injured his hip and quad last week against the New York Giants, sat out practice again Friday and was downgraded from probable to questionable. Salave'a, who earlier missed two games with a strained right calf, is sidelined with a strained left calf.
If neither plays, the Redskins will likely on a rotation that includes promising rookies Kedric Golston and Anthony Montgomery. Backup end
Renaldo Wynn can also move to tackle.
Two other defensive starters, defensive end
Phillip Daniels (back) and linebacker
Marcus Washington (hip), returned to practice and remain listed as probable.