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News & Notes: Springs Is Questionable

Cornerback Shawn Springs sat out practice on Wednesday due to a shin injury and is officially listed as questionable for this Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The good news? Cornerback Walt Harris was not on the injury report for the first time in three weeks, which means he is cleared to play. Harris has missed the last two games due to a calf injury.

If Springs is unable to go, it's likely that Harris and rookie Carlos Rogers will see the bulk of playing time in assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams' packages. The third cornerback would be Ade Jimoh.

Rogers was also on the Redskins' injury report with an ankle injury. He sat out practice on Wednesday but is listed as probable.

"All of us are getting banged up," Rogers said. "When you play hard, you're going to get injuries. All of us stay in the training room trying to get healthy. The backups have to be ready."

When Springs went down in the first quarter in Sunday's game against the Broncos, it was Rogers and Jimoh who picked up the slack. They earned praise from Williams for their play against Denver.

As a team, the Redskins' pass defense allowed just 92 yards passing overall on 10-for-25 pass attempts by Jake Plummer. The Broncos won the game 21-19 at Invesco Field at Mile High.

"We gained a lot of confidence," Rogers said. "Our effort was great throughout the whole game, but we have to learn to close them out. We can't make mistakes and come out on top on the road."

Added Jimoh: "I'm comfortable out there. I've been playing football a long time. You just have to remember to take all of the reps that you can when you get them in practice, and focus like you would in each game."

-- INJURY UPDATE: BETTS, HALL

Running back Ladell Betts is listed as questionable for this Sunday's game due to a groin injury that first flared up in practice last week. Betts did not practice on Wednesday. If he is unable to play, Rock Cartwright could see his first action of the season in the backfield, spelling starter Clinton Portis.

Kicker John Hall is also questionable as he continues to recover from a quadriceps injury. Nick Novak would kick for the fourth straight game if Hall is still not ready.

Also listed as probable for Sunday's game: defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin (wrist), Portis (calf), defensive tackle Joe Salave'a (thigh), guard Randy Thomas (shoulder) and defensive end Renaldo Wynn (knee).

-- BRUNELL TO MOSS

The Mark Brunell-to-Santana Moss combination has been effective early on for the Redskins. Moss has 23 catches for 458 yards, with a number of his catches coming in the fourth quarter or overtime when the game is on the line.

Everyone remembers Moss's two fourth-quarter touchdowns to help beat the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. There was also the 31-yard reception in overtime to set up a game-winning field goal over Seattle two weeks later. Last Sunday in Denver, Moss had four receptions on the Redskins' final touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter.

Brunell, for one, is impressed.

"He's someone that we really needed," Brunell said. "All offseason, we talked about getting production downfield in our passing game-those plays that go beyond 20 yards. We're finally doing that."

Asked how Moss is as a leader off the field, Brunell replied: "Santana is not a real loud guy, but if something needs to be said or there is a moment where he feels he needs to express himself, he will. He's great in the huddle and in the locker room."

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