With injuries to David Patten and James Thrash in recent weeks, much has been expected from third-year receiver Taylor Jacobs.

Perhaps too much?

Jacobs is seeing the first extensive playing time this season and so perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise that improvement has come gradually, not suddenly.

After catching three passes for 17 yards in the Week 11 game against Oakland, Jacobs logged four catches for 44 yards on Sunday against San Diego.

Quarterback Mark Brunell connected with Jacobs on a pair of third-down conversions, including a 17-yard reception.

"I haven't played that much until [Oakland], so in a sense it's been like playing in a preseason game for me," Jacobs said. "You just get better and better and better. I told coach before the game, 'I feel more comfortable this game, so if you need me, feel free to call my number. I'm going to be there.'"

Added Brunell: "Taylor has great skills and a lot of talent. I really believe that Taylor has a bright future in this league. You have to get on the field to get better. The more Taylor is on the field, the better he will get. The more times I throw to him, particularly in game situations, the more confidence he gets and the more confidence I have in him."

Head coach Joe Gibbs is also gaining confidence in Jacobs, the Redskins' second-round selection from the 2003 NFL Draft.

"Taylor made some plays for us and we're going to need that," Gibbs said. "As people pay attention to Santana Moss, chances are that the quarterback's read will take him to the least amount of coverage. Taylor should be a big part of that."

-- MOSS HITS 1,000

Wide receiver Santana Moss surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in receiving yards on Sunday and through 11 games has 1,053 receiving yards on 63 catches.

Moss has etched his name alongside Redskins greats Bobby Mitchell, Art Monk, Gary Clark and Henry Ellard as receivers who have recorded 1,000 or more receiving yards in a season.

Moss is still on pace to break the Redskins' season record in receiving yards, currently held by Mitchell with 1,436 yards. If Moss continues his pace, he would finish with 1,532 receiving yards in the 2005 season.

-- RABACH'S DAY

Casey Rabach acquitted himself well against Chargers' nose tackle Jamal Williams, a Pro Bowl alternate last season. Rabach helped open up a gaping hole that sprung running back Rock Cartwright to a 13-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Rabach was later called for a hold that pushed the Redskins back to the edge of John Hall's field goal range with less than a minute to play. Hall's 53-yard attempt was just short.

"I thought Casey played his guts out," Gibbs said. "Sometimes a guy can play an entire game like that, fight his guts out, and make a ton of plays for you. You hate that the focus gets on something like that where there is a penalty."

-- HALL'S KICK

John Hall's 53-yard field goal attempt with 30 seconds left in Sunday's game was short, but he went out onto the field feeling like it was in his range. If the kick had been good, it would have given the Redskins a 20-17 lead over San Diego.

During pre-game warm-ups, the longest kick that Hall had made was 48 yards.

"Send me out there because I felt like I could make it," Hall said after the game. "I didn't make it and the end result was that we lost. I'll take that on my shoulders."

Added Hall: "I knew it was going to be a very difficult kick and I knew I had to put everything I had into it. You've got to get behind it and let it rip."