After sitting out most of training camp and the preseason with a fractured hand, running back Ryan Torain finally got back on the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Thursday night.

He shouldered the load in the game, rushing for a team-high 17 times for 73 yards, and 4.3 yards per carry. The high number of touches was unusual for a preseason game, but didn't bother Torain.

"That's no problem," he said with a smile. "If coach wants me to run the ball, I'm going to run the ball. If coach wants me to put the team on my back, no problem. I can't turn any [carries] down – anything to help the team and make plays."

Following Saturday's roster cuts, Ryan Torain stands as the lone holdover from last season's running backs.

He admitted that going into the game, he considered himself to be on the roster bubble.

"I did, a little bit," he said after the game. "But I just stayed out there and kept working hard. It's all about taking advantage of opportunity."

Torain, who led the Redskins in rushing in preseason, was competing with rookie Evan Royster for the final spot at running back.

Said head coach Mike Shanahan: "Torain beat out [Royster] in the last game. That's why he's the third running back. We liked Royster and that's why he's back on the practice squad, but we have competition.

"With a guy like Ryan, we kind of knew what he has done. We were hoping that he would come back and play well and we thought he played well against Tampa Bay to earn himself a position."

Torain is known for his physical style of running, which can be a concern with a surgically-repaired hand. He said after the game that he couldn't even remember taking the first hit on his hand.

"I didn't even notice it," he said. "I had lots of adrenaline and I was just excited to be out there playing full speed. I'm completely past it, and I'm just ready for the first game against the [New York] Giants."