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#WASvsPHI: Josh Norman Out

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After missing last week's game against the 49ers with a rib fracture, Redskins cornerback Josh Norman once again will not play on Monday night against the Eagles.

This week's injury report is brought to you by Inova, the Official Health System of the Washington Redskins.


The Washington Redskins will head into Monday night's divisional matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles with cornerback Bashaud Breeland (knee), safeties Deshazor Everett (hamstring) and Stefan McClure (knee), linebacker Mason Foster (shoulder), running back Rob Kelley (ankle) and tackle Trent Williams (knee) as questionable.

However, Washington will be without one of its starting cornerbacks along with two backup offensive linemen, as Josh Norman (rib), Ty Nsekhe (core muscle) and Tyler Catalina (concussion) have all been ruled out.

The starting corner tandem of Breeland and Norman was limited throughout the week's practices, as Washington will be shorthanded at the position against Philadelphia's bevy of wide receivers that includes Nelson Agholor, Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith.

Breeland injured his knee in the second half of last week's 26-24 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. While the Clemson product was unable to finish the game, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden believes there's a chance he'll be able to play based on history of quick recoveries from injuries.

"I think Breeland's always been a fast healer. He's like Gumby," Gruden said this week. "I mean, he took a pretty big shot on that play and I thought he was going to be out for a little bit of time but he recovers quickly."

As for Norman, the former All-Pro returned to practice this week after being inactive for the 49ers game. He originally suffered a rib fracture in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Quinton Dunbar replaced him in the starting lineup and appeared on 64 defensive plays against San Francisco, recording eight tackles with two passes defensed.

With Norman once again being ruled out, the Redskins will look to Dunbar along with rookie Fabian Moreau to fill the void.

"[The Eagles are] playing at a high level, so our guys will have to step up," Gruden said. "That's just the way it is. There's a lot of teams around the National Football League this time of the year that are dealing with key injuries at certain positions and we just had a couple of them at the corner spot. So Fabian, Dunbar – they'll have to step up and play well."

Offensively, the Redskins could return Rob Kelley to the starting running back position. Kelley also did not play against the 49ers after suffering his ankle injury against the Chiefs.

The Tulane product has been banged up throughout this season, as he's been inactive twice and also been unable to play in the second quarter of two other contests.

If Kelley needs another week of recovery, the Redskins will rely on Chris Thompson and Samaje Perine as the main contributors at the position.

Thompson, of course, is in the midst of a breakout season, as he currently leads the team in both receiving (340 yards) and rushing (175 yards).

Perine, meanwhile, has recorded 55 carries for 166 yards. While the rookie's numbers don't pop out through his first five NFL games, the coaching staff has confidence that he'll improve down the stretch.

"He is not a finished product by any stretch. He is a rookie. He is feeling himself through it, but I am just looking for more decisive cuts by him and more physical runs," Gruden said. "That's just what we expect from Samaje and I know he expects that himself."

As for Williams, the Pro Bowl tackle gutted out a complete game against San Francisco, as he appeared on all but one offensive play despite not practicing at all last week.

Even though Williams once again wasn't 100 percent this week, he's set a standard of playing through injuries.

"Once you accept the fact that you're going to be going through pain, it's not so normal," Williams said last week. "I already knew it was going to be pretty tough, but everybody out here is fighting, there's no excuse for me not to."

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