Defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin returned to action in Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers, playing for the first time in three games. It was the first game since Oct. 30 that assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams had his full complement of defensive linemen available to him.
Griffin, who had been hampered by a hip injury, was among the Redskins' active players for the game after being listed as questionable last week.
Griffin's presence provided a boost to a Redskins' defensive line that had difficulty pressuring quarterbacks in recent weeks. The Chargers boast a multi-faceted offense that includes a trio of Pro Bowlers in quarterback Drew Brees, running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates.
Gates, who had been battling a foot injury last week and listed as questionable, is active and expected to play.
Williams continued to rotate linemen at the defensive tackle spot. Cedric Killings started alongside Joe Salave'a, but Griffin came into the game after four plays of the Chargers' first offensive drive.
As expected, the Redskins deactivated wide receiver James Thrash and H-back Mike Sellers before the Chargers game. Both Thrash and Sellers sustained injuries in last week's game against Oakland: Thrash has a hamstring injury and Sellers has a rib injury.
Also inactive for Sunday's game was running back Ladell Betts. Clinton Portis was backed up by Rock Cartwright and rookie Nehemiah Broughton.
With Betts and Thrash inactive, recently signed Antonio Brown returned punts and kickoffs. It was Brown's first NFL action since Week 1, when he was released by the Redskins after fumbling a kick return in the season opener.
Before the game, Sellers expressed confidence that the special teams backups would step up against the Chargers.
"J.T. and I are the guys who have pretty much led the special teams so far, but we have a lot of guys capable of making plays," Sellers said. "We have Rock Cartwright and Khary Campbell-they're both more than capable of making plays. More than anything, it's the system we play in that helps us make plays."
The Redskins' complete list of inactives was as follows: safety Omar Stoutmire, Sellers, Betts, linebacker Robert McCune, Thrash and defensive linemen Nic Clemons and Aki Jones. The third quarterback is Jason Campbell.
The Chargers listed the following players as inactive: safety Jerry Wilson, linebacker Ben Leber, offensive linemen Wes Sims, Cory Lekkerkerker and Roman Oben and defensive end Derrick Robinson. The third quarterback is A.J. Feeley.
Second-year offensive lineman Leander Jordan was expected to start in place of Oben at left tackle.
