Right tackle Jon Jansen will not play in Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, the team has decided. Jansen is not expected to make the trip to New Orleans.
It's expected that veteran backup Todd Wade will draw the start in place of Jansen.
Jansen has been slowed by a calf injury in recent weeks, but he has continued to suit up and play on Sundays. His injury has been getting progressively worse, though.
Also, center Casey Rabach is expected to play despite a cast covering his left, non-snapping hand. He fractured the hand last week, but he practiced on Frdiay and was upgraded to probable on the Redskins' injury report.
"Casey looked good," Gibbs said on Friday. "He had a real good practice. I think we're fine there."
Wade would make his first start of the season and first start as a Redskin. The seventh-year veteran has not seen action yet this season after signing with the team in early September.
"For Todd, there are different times you get opportunities to make a statement," Gibbs said. "Todd has started 85 games in the NFL, so you'd think we'd be in good shape there. He's a real conscientious guy.
"In the time he chose to come here, he could have [signed with] a number of teams. I think this will be his chance to help the football team and I think he's looking forward to it."
Wade suffered a torn MCL to his knee last year, leading to his release by the Houston Texans and subsequent signing with the Redskins. He said on Friday he is looking forward to re-establishing himself in the NFL.
"I'm just going to go out there and be myself," he said. "I've prepared myself pretty well this week and throughout this season. I've gotten used to this offense. I expect to play well."
Asked about the status of his knee, Wade replied: "It hasn't been a concern. I wear a knee brace, and that's just for safety."
Wade joins an offensive line that has been dominating the line of scrimmage in recent weeks. Ladell Betts has rushed for 430 yards the last three games, and the ground game could be a key this Sunday as the Redskins try to keep the Saints' high-powered offense off the field.
Despite the Redskins' 4-9 record, Gibbs said that the team has no intention of placing Jansen on injured reserve.
"Three or four weeks ago, our medical team was telling him, 'Hey Jon, maybe you should take a week off just from a standpoint of discomfort.' I actually think he has played 3-4 of the best games he has ever played here--and he has lined up against real good [defensive ends].
"Jon Jansen is a tough dude. That guy played with broken thumbs [in 2005] and he wouldn't come out. This year, he's playing with a calf injury that a lot of other guys would have missed on. He has every intention of playing.
"He said, 'Don't cross me off even going into this week. If I have to miss, I'm definitely going to play next week.' I think Jon Jansen is one of the guys we've talked about who has been a tough guy."
