Running back Jesse Lumsden and wide receiver Taylor Jacobs were among players who did not play in Sunday's preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Both Lumsden and Jacobs have hip flexor injuries they sustained last week during practice. By missing the game, both players lost a first opportunity to impress coaches and earn a roster spot.
Lumsden has impressed coaches with his play during training camp and in the Aug. 5 scrimmage against the Baltimore Ravens. He rushed for 32 yards on six carries and scored on a 12-yard touchdown run in the scrimmage.
The Redskins have a deep running back corps, led by Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright. That depth was tested in Sunday's preseason opener when Portis was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Kerry Carter, another roster hopeful, was expected to get plenty of playing time against the Bengals, but he suffered a knee injury in the first half and did not return to the game.
For Jacobs, a fourth-year player who has struggled through injuries in his NFL career, missing the game was another setback. When the Redskins brought in wide receivers Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd last offseason, Jacobs' standing became uncertain.
"You hate it when [injuries] happen," head coach Joe Gibbs said last Friday. "Nobody works harder than Taylor. I think he's a talented guy and it seems he's had a lot of things go against him.
"Certainly, he would have an opportunity to play a lot [in the preseason] if he was healthy. What I'm hoping is that he is able to bounce back from it. I know he told the trainers he didn't think he could go, so he won't get an opportunity this week, but hopefully he'll be healthy next week."
Backup running back Ladell Betts decided to sit out Sunday's game as he continues to recuperate from a mild hamstring injury.
As expected, offensive lineman Kili Lefotu (illness), cornerback Ade Jimoh (bruised sternum) and offensive lineman Jim Molinaro (knee) did not play against the Bengals.
Also not making the trip to Cincinnati were safety Curry Burns (hamstring), cornerback Aric Williams (hamstring) defensive end Nic Clemons (knee), defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery (hamstring), linebacker Kevin Simon (stomach), and tight end Calen Powell (hip injury).
-- GIBBS' RESPONSIBILITIES
Sunday's preseason opener at Cincinnati marked the first time that Joe Gibbs was not directly or indirectly in charge of calling plays on game day.
Asked about giving up those responsibilities to Al Saunders, Gibbs didn't think the transition would be a problem for him.
"We had Jack (Burns) and Don (Breaux) who we're calling plays quite a bit last year, so I don't think it will be that big of a change," Gibbs said. "I've been used to it out here [in practice] now."
With Saunders calling the offensive plays, Gibbs focused on individual players.
"I think every time you step out there in this league it's important," he said. "We've got two objectives: we want to look sharp both offensively and defensively and we want a lot of guys to step and show us what they can do.
"For the football team, it's real important because there are a lot of guys who are making a statement about whether they can make it."
