Redskins nickelback E.J. Biggers downgraded to out for Sunday’s game

Redskins nickelback E.J. Biggers has been ruled out for Sunday’s game because of lingering effects of the concussion he sustained last week in San Francisco, leaving another hole in Washington’s oft-depleted secondary.

The 27-year-old cornerback was originally listed as questionable for this week’s game against the Indianapolis Colts even though he did not participate in any portion of practice during the week. The Redskins said in a press release that Biggers did not travel to Indianapolis with the team.

With Biggers sidelined, coach Jay Gruden said the Redskins could use a number of players in that nickelback role.

“Yeah, we have some people moving in and out of there,” Gruden said Friday. “We’ve got plenty of guys in there. We’ve got Trenton Robinson who has played some nickel. We can move people around. We’ve got [Greg] Ducre, who played obviously last week. We’ve got [Chase] Minnifield up this week, who can do it. So, we’ve got enough bodies in there to cover it.”

Two of those potential replacements, however, said they have not taken any repetitions at the position in practice this week. Robinson said he has practiced only at safety, his primary position, while Ducre said he is backing up the two starting cornerbacks on the outside. The undrafted rookie, who collected his first interception last week, said he expects his role to continue to center around special teams.

“I’m still backing up and helping the team out any way I can,” Ducre said. “I’m still special teams, just waiting for my opportunity again. Hopefully I can capitalize on it like I did last game.”

Robinson said he knows the nickelback role and feels comfortable there but practices at safety. He also acknowledged that there are some fundamental differences between the two roles.

“You’re actually going up there and covering elite players when you’re down there in nickel,” Robinson said. “Most of the time, it’s an elite guy that’s in the slot these days. So it’s a lot different. It’s a lot of patience. You can’t really mess up too much, compared to being back at safety, where you can slip up a little bit in coverage and be alright because you’re so far off and stuff like that.”

Robinson and Ducre were among the many defensive backs pressed into service against the 49ers last week, when starting cornerback David Amerson was suspended for a violation of team rules and both Biggers and Tracy Porter left with injuries.

In the fourth quarter, the Redskins had only two active cornerbacks: rookie Bashaud Breeland and Ducre, who had never played a defensive snap in the NFL. Wide receiver Santana Moss was next in line, should another defensive back go down.

“We had safeties playing corner last week. We had a linebacker playing safety. It was challenging. It was interesting,” defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said. “Ryan [Clark] said it was fun. Maybe fun for him.”

Washington has been shorthanded in the secondary since Week 3, when DeAngelo Hall ruptured his Achilles tendon and was ruled out for the rest of the season. This week, Porter joined Hall on injured reserve with an AC joint separation in his right shoulder. The Redskins promoted Minnifield from the practice squad to replace Porter on the 53-man roster.

With Biggers out, Minnifield will be in the mix at nickelback on Sunday alongside Ducre, Robinson and perhaps backup safety Phillip Thomas. While it is unclear who will play and with what frequency, they are all open to the opportunity.

“Wherever I can get on the field,” Robinson said, “I’m going to take advantage of it.”