A return to the field for Trent Williams, who has been battling a knee injury over the last few months, could mean the Redskins once again push Ty Nsekhe over to left guard.

In most situations, Trent Williams would stand out based on his 6-foot-5, 320-pound frame coupled with athleticism that's unparalleled for a man his size.

Even during some of his early years with the Washington Redskins, Williams was, at times, vastly bigger than the rest of the offensive linemen on the roster. But times are different now, and Williams could potentially be the smallest starting offensive lineman on Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys if he is active, at least in his eyes.

Williams would, of course, return to his natural position of left tackle if he's active against the Cowboys. That could slide the 6-foot-8, 338-pound Ty Nsekhe over to left guard, a spot he played for the first time in his career in the second half of Washington's Week 11 game against the New Orleans Saints.

Veteran Tony Bergstrom could be asked to start once again at center, too, if Chase Roullier is unable to play as he continues to rehab a hand injury.

"I can't remember a time in my career when I looked down and the left guard is towering over me and the center is an inch taller than me," Williams said. "I'm basically the shortest guy on the line, I may have a quarter-inch on Brandon [Scherff], maybe. [Morgan Moses] being 6-foot-7, I feel like I should be the center."

Williams was inactive last Thursday for the Redskins' game against the New York Giants, only four days after playing all 69 of Washington's offensive snaps against the New Orleans Saints.

He's trying to battle through a knee injury that has also made him inactive in two other games as well.

As he balances helping out his team immediately as it tries to remain in the playoff chase against his long-term future, Williams said his week-to-week status determination is a "touchy situation."

"I haven't really had to deal with anything like this in my career," Williams said. "I'll usually fight through something for a couple weeks, and eventually it will heal. This one is a little different. I'm taking it week by week. When I'm allowed out there, I'm always trying to get out there and contribute to the team somehow."

Williams is also striving to stay healthy through season's end for an offensive line that has already been forced to replace Shawn Lauvao and Spencer Long, both of whom were placed on Injured Reserve earlier this month.

"Yeah, I talked to them right when it happened," Williams said. "You kind of know, especially when you've got nerve damage, that's scary, because you never know when it can come back. That's a touchy situation as well. [Spencer] having problems with his both of his quad tendons. The writing was on the wall, I kind of knew those guys might have a tough time finishing through the season."

A return to the field for Williams could push Nsekhe over to guard for his first start along the interior of the offensive line in his career.

After Lauvao was removed from the Saints game late in the first half, Bergstrom filled in at left guard for the final three offensive plays of the half before Nsekhe finished out the game.

"[Offensive line coach/assistant head coach] Bill [Callahan] wanted to try him at guard. He has been here a little bit while and felt more comfortable with him at guard and Trent at tackle," said Redskins head coach Jay Gruden. "That's the way it went and Ty played pretty well for never playing it. Now that he can play tackle and guard, it's very beneficial. He might have to play only tackle. …He might have to play guard. He knows them all. Smart guy."