If the Washington Redskins’ veterans are exhausted after an NFL record 14 weeks without a break, imagine how the rookies feel.
The vets have been through grinds nearly as long each year. The rookies are used to stretches of football only half as long.
But Washington’s first-year players - other than receiver Malcolm Kelly, who’s still battling a troublesome left knee - are actually feeling fine with the bye finally coming next week. That’s even true for safety Chris Horton, who missed last week’s game with a sprained ankle.
“I feel good,” said Horton, Washington’s only first-year starter. “I’ve just got little nicks and bruises, but winning makes everything feel better. Sure, if I was still at UCLA, we would’ve had a bye weeks ago, but I don’t have to worry about classes and exams here. I just hope I don’t hit that rookie wall and have a tough second half.”
Rob Jackson has only played in one game but, as a defensive end, he takes more of a pounding in practice than Horton.
“Surprisingly, I don’t feel tired,” he said. “Maybe it’s easier when you don’t really know what to expect. I’ve just gotten used to the routine. I’d rather spend all of my time on football than spend some studying for a statistics test.”
Cornerback Justin Tryon said his body is holding up and his game is improving thanks to tips from veterans Shawn Springs, Fred Smoot and Carlos Rogers and position coach Jerry Gray.
“I’m in the cold tub every day,” said Tryon, who learned that trick from Rogers. “I’m always talking to Carlos, Fred and Shawn. I’ve learned a ton from watching film. I’m like a sponge with Jerry, just soaking up what he knows. The only problem is that there’s so much information that sometimes I have to push the reset button.”
Three return to practice
Guard Pete Kendall (knees) and kick returner Rock Cartwright (knee) returned Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice. Defensive tackle Lorenzo Alexander (toe) worked through a full practice after being limited Wednesday. Rogers’ heel has replaced his calf as his major ailment. He took limited work Thursday after participating Wednesday. All are expected to be ready for Monday night.
Running back Clinton Portis (hip, ankle), receiver Santana Moss (hamstring) and safety LaRon Landry (hamstring) remained sidelined, but coach Jim Zorn said he expects them to play. Horton, offensive tackle Chris Samuels (knee), defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin (shoulder) and Horton fully participated for a second straight day after not playing last Sunday.
Kelly, Springs (calf), running back Ladell Betts (knee) and defensive end Jason Taylor (calf) didn’t practice and won’t play.
Campbell’s streak
Quarterback Jason Campbell’s streak of 252 consecutive passes without an interception is five shy of the NFL’s longest streak in more than four years. The all-time record is 308, set by Cleveland’s Bernie Kosar in 1990-91. Hall of Famer Bart Starr is second with 294. Jeff George is third with 279.
Clark may be out
The Steelers’ Ryan Clark dislocated a shoulder in last week’s loss to the New York Giants, but the free safety still hopes to play against his former team.
“I feel like I can play with the pain,” Clark said. “They told me I can’t play a week, so that is technically until Sunday - so Monday I should be OK, right? We have to do what is best for the Steelers and, if that’s me sitting this week and being healthy the last eight weeks of the season, that’s what we are going to do.”
Clark, who has started every game this year and has made 50 tackles after missing the final 10 games of 2007 with a spleen injury, was named the Steelers’ winner of the Ed Block Courage Award, an award each team gives to its most courageous player. Clark said he was fined $5,000 by the NFL for wearing eye black with No. 21 etched into it in honor of slain ex-teammate Sean Taylor against the Giants. Clark, who wears No. 25 in games, wears No. 21 during practice.
“I [have] thought about all season making a play against Washington and getting a chance to point to Sean Taylor’s number up in the ring of fame,” Clark said. “It would be awesome to go back and play against a team that … let me go because they wanted [Adam Archuleta] because [they thought] I wasn’t good enough.”
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