Washington Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers' broken thumb will keep him out of Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts, further depleting a struggling secondary as it prepares to face one of the top passing offences in the league.
The Redskins apparently will open without their top two cornerbacks against Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and the rest of the Colts' attack. Shawn Springs said Wednesday he was ``about the same as last week,'' meaning that he's not yet ready for starting duty after missing five games with abdomen and groin injuries.
Even with Rogers healthy, the secondary has repeatedly allowed big plays and has only one interception. The defence is ranked 24th against the pass and has allowed 25 pass plays of 20-plus yards, second most in the league.
The top candidates to start Sunday are Kenny Wright and Mike Rumph. Neither has distinguished himself this season, and Rumph was put on the inactive list for the Titans game.
The Redskins signed five-time Pro Bowl defensive back Troy Vincent on Monday, but he needs time to learn the defence.
Rogers, a first-round draft pick last year, was hurt trying to tackle Titans running back Travis Henry and needed three screws inserted into the thumb when he had surgery Monday. He broke the same thumb while playing for Auburn and missed one game.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
