As the Redskins head into the second half of their schedule, coaches are still trying to make the right decision at right guard.
Turns out Will Montgomery and and Chad Rinehart are in a midseason competition for the starting job.
"That's an ongoing battle," head coach Jim Zorn said on Thursday.
As the end of the week neared, there were indications that Rinehart would draw the starting assignment on Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
Montgomery has started the last three games, but coaches want to get Rinehart more involved due to the number of injuries along the offensive line.
"We're definitely going to get Chad involved and he has a chance to start this week," Zorn said. "Will has a chance to start again."
When Randy Thomas went down with a triceps injury in Week 2, the competition between Montgomery and Rinehart officially got underway.
It was Rinehart who won the starting job initially. He started against Detroit and Tampa Bay in Weeks 3-4 but was slowed by a shoulder injury.
Coaches turned to Mike Williams at right guard in Week 5.
Then Chris Samuels went down with a season-ending neck injury, forcing the Redskins to move Williams to right tackle.
Montgomery was chosen to start at right guard instead of Rinehart. Montgomery has started every game since.
"I thought Will was doing a good job in there and now Rinehart is starting to come back on," Zorn said. "These guys are real competitive. I think Buges [Joe Bugel] is doing a very good job observing these guys every day.
"That is what we tell them every single day: it's not so much competition but it's being a pro. These guys are working hard doing that. He's starting to get better and better as we have gone through the last couple weeks."
Montgomery can play both guard and center, so his versatility remains a key reason why he has value as a backup. Rinehart plays only right guard.
The Redskins continue to work through injuries along the offensive line.
Stephon Heyer, expected to start at right tackle in place of an injured Williams on Sunday, has been slowed by a knee injury. He was limited in practice on Thursday and D'Anthony Batiste saw action in his place.
"All of those guys are trying to rally around each other," Zorn said.
