Cornelius Griffin and Shawn Springs will not play in Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, head coach Jim Zorn said.
Griffin remains slowed by a shoulder injury, while Springs has a calf injury.
Griffin's injury has bothered him for several weeks, but it intensified since the Browns game last Sunday.
"I'm going to hold Cornelius out," Zorn said. "I just want to give him a real rest, because his shoulder is really banged up. We're all in this together and he has to last through the season. We're just giving him a rest."
With Griffin sidelined, Anthony Montgomery and Kedric Golston are expected to be the starters at defensive tackle against the Lions.
Lorenzo Alexander and Demetric Evans could also see an increase in playing time on Sunday.
Griffin has 20 tackles, one sack and three quarterback pressures so far this season.
Coaches expect Griffin will try to convince them he can play right up until game time.
"Cornelius is one of those guys who you can't let him near a helmet because he'll run out on the field on you," defensive coordinator Greg Blache said. "But we're not going to let him chance making that injury even worse. We have a big stretch run here in November and December, and he's a big part of who we are."
Blache said that Griffin has been playing some of his best football in years.
"It may not be obvious to outsiders, but his technique has been good, his reads have been good, and he has been very physical," Blache said. "He really has been a big player for us this season. I think a lot of the success we have had defensively is a credit to Cornelius."
Added Golston: "He sets the standard of how to work during the week and that transfers over to Sunday. He's a real professional. He has had a banged-up shoulder, but he does anything for the team to try to win football games."
Not this week, though.
Springs' calf injury has forced him to miss three games this season, including last week's contest against the Cleveland Browns. He re-aggravated the injury in practice on Oct. 17 and has not been available for practice since,
Carlos Rogers and Fred Smoot are expected to start at cornerback against the Lions, with Leigh Torrence and J.T. Tryon serving in nickel and dime packages.
In addition, LaRon Landry has a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable for the Lions game.
The Redskins play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 3 and the status of Griffin and Springs for that contest will be determined next week.
After the Steelers game, the Redskins have a bye, giving Griffin and Springs--and other nicked up teammates--two full weeks to rest their injuries.
