Even with wide receiver Darnerien McCants released on Monday, Taylor Jacobs isn't taking anything for granted.

Sidelined most of preseason with a lingering toe injury, Jacobs realizes he could be fighting for a roster spot in the next week--without having an opportunity to perform on the field.

On Monday, Jacobs worked out for athletic trainers at Redskins Park with some straight-ahead running. He is not running in cleats yet and is still experiencing some soreness when cutting on the toe.

Asked on Monday if he was worried about making the final 53-man roster, Jacobs admitted: "It's in the back of my mind."

Jacobs suffered the injury in the Aug. 6 scrimmage against the Baltimore Ravens. Since the Redskins drafted him in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft, Jacobs has had a series of injuries that have limited his playing time.

"I can't do anything about the injuries," he said. "It seems like I've been injured off and on since I've been here. I can't speed up [the healing], so all I can do is what the trainers tell me to do every day."

Said head coach Joe Gibbs: "Taylor had great preparation for the regular season. I know he was here and worked as hard as anybody. With toe injuries, it takes a while. It's just a matter of getting him cutting. I'm hoping we can get him back in the next week or so. We'll see."

Gibbs On McCants, Newberry

Head coach Joe Gibbs addressed the release of McCants on Monday after practice, saying that he expects several teams to bid for the fourth-year wide receiver.

"It is probably better for him to get released this week instead of next week," Gibbs said. "We kind of made up our mind that we were going to go in a different direction with our receivers, so it is probably good to let him have another opportunity."

Regarding the release of rookie linebacker Jared Newberry, a sixth-round draft choice last April, Gibbs said he was caught in a numbers crunch at the linebacker position.

"We had some others guys who stepped up--and I think there are going to be some neat stories there," Gibbs said. "When you have to go down to these numbers, I think it is critical that you don't think as much about where the guy was drafted or how much money is involved. It is more of who deserves it. This team is very sensitive to that."

Injury Update

Matt Bowen was back at Redskins Park on Monday after spending Friday and Saturday night in the hospital with a chest injury. Bowen, who watched practice from the sidelines, suffered the injury in the preseason game against Pittsburgh.

Bowen's condition is improving, but he still feels some pain in the chest area, team officials said. His status for this Thursday's game against Baltimore is uncertain.

"We're going to be careful with Matt," Gibbs said.

Ladell Betts sustained a bruised ankle during Friday's game against Pittsburgh and his status for the Baltimore game is also uncertain. Betts said on Monday that he does not consider the injury serious. "I'm fine," he said.

Cornerback Ade Jimoh also sat out Monday's practice with a bruised thigh. His status is day to day.

Meantime, safety Ryan Clark and cornerback Walt Harris returned to the practice field on Monday after missing the last two preseason games with a knee injury. Both are expected to be ready to play in Thursday's game at Baltimore.

"I did my drills without any braces," Clark said. "A lot of people have been telling me to stay out since it's the preseason, but I felt like I could go. So why cheat the team and myself."

Linebacker Robert McCune suffered a groin injury on Monday during practice and his status is also day to day.

Hurricane Katrina

The Redskins have several players with ties to the Gulf Coast region that has been battered by Hurricane Katrina this week.

Clark and tight end Robert Royal hail from the New Orleans region, while left tackle Chris Samuels and linebacker Robert McCune are from Mobile, Ala.

Most of Clark's family lives in Merraro, La., a suburb of New Orleans.

"My dad hasn't left because of a hurricane in 20 years, but this one is so bad, they actually bused him out of there," Clark said. "I've been praying. Everyone I know got out safely. The only thing I'm worried about now is people getting back to their homes."

The family of quarterback Patrick Ramsey lives in Ruston, La., which is about 300 miles north of New Orleans and far enough away from the worst of Hurricane Katrina. Ramsey, who played his college ball at Tulane in New Orleans, has a lot of friends in the Gulf Coast region that he has stayed in touch with over the last 24 hours.

"My wife and I have a lot of friends we went to school with there and we're praying for them," Ramsey said.