Strong safety Chris Horton suffered a toe injury in Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons and he could be sidelined 4-6 weeks, Jim Zorn said.
Horton, who was wearing a walking boot on Monday at Redskins Park, sustained ligament damage in the toe. He may need surgery to repair the injury.
If he does have surgery, then he could be out for 4-6 months.
It's certainly a tough blow for Horton, who had re-claimed his starting job at strong safety in recent weeks. He has 36 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery this sesaon.
With Horton sidelined, the Redskins are exploring options at safety.
The obvious move would be to insert Reed Doughty, who has started three games this season, at strong safety. Doughty is fifth on the defense in tackles with 43.
However, Zorn indicated the team could move LaRon Landry to strong safety, which would put Doughty or second-year pro Kareem Moore at free safety.
It's thought that strong safety may be Landry's natural position.
In any event, the Redskins are expected to sign a defensive back this week to add depth to the position.
"I'm going to meet with Greg Blache and our defensive staff and talk about it," Zorn said. "There is a little juggling that has to go on, but yes, we need some help there."
Doughty said on Monday he was "fine" after spraining his knee in the Falcons game.
-- ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
Down 24-3 at halftime to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Redskins coaches had enough.
Offensive line coach Joe Bugel had choice words for the struggling Redskins offensive line. Then Jim Zorn addressed the entire team and challenged them to play with more intensity.
And the Redskins scored touchdowns on their first two possessions of the second half.
"We put the challenge out to them," Jim Zorn said. "They responded, they didn't back down, they took the challenge. It was more of situation where they needed to discover something about themselves.
"Can you push harder? Yes. That's what I think happened to some of those guys who felt like they were giving all they could. But when they see the film and see what happened in the second half will say, 'I can give more. I can ask more of myself.'
"And that's what we have to do because what we put out there in the first half was not good enough."
Added Casey Rabach: "He said, 'Just do your job.' He got pretty upset. I think everybody was pretty upset. He reiterated the fact that everybody should 'Man up' and that it was time to play."
-- YOU BETTER, YOU BETTS
When Clinton Portis went down with a concussion against the Falcons, Ladell Betts became the Redskins' feature back for the first time since 2006.
Betts responded, posting 70 yards on 15 carries and a 1-yard touchdown run.
With Portis doubtful for next Sunday's game against the Broncos, Betts is expected to draw the start at running back.
"Ladell just rose up," Jim Zorn said. "He took advantage of the opportunity, and I was excited for him."
