Defensive tackle Joe Salave'a remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Houston with a calf injury. It's expected that his playing status will be a game-time decision, head coach Joe Gibbs said on Friday.
Salave'a did some "light work" during Friday's practice, Gibbs said. He sustained the injury in last Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Salave'a did not practice all week, but Gibbs and the coaching staff decided to leave open the possibility that Salave'a could play on Sunday.
If Salave'a is unable to play, he could be replaced in the lineup by rookie defensive tackle Kedric Golston, a sixth-round draft pick that has impressed early this season. Coaches may also shift Renaldo Wynn to the defensive tackle position or rotate third-year lineman Ryan Boschetti and rookie fifth-round draft pick Anthony Montgomery.
In two games as a reserve, Golston has impressed assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams. He has logged six tackles, including one for a loss, so far this season.
"He has done very well," Williams said. "He has improved. We are just going to have to go through some learning experiences with him. As he feels more comfortable you will see him make more plays. He is a powerful body inside. We need those young legs inside."
The Redskins' defense typically looks for veteran linemen to set the tone for the defense, of which Salave'a has always been a big part. If Salave'a can't play, then Cornelius Griffin, Phillip Daniels and Renaldo Wynn will step up in that role.
"We have a group of guys there that have a lot of pride," Gibbs said. "They are very instrumental in what we do here. They are very much a leadership group. A few of them have been around a while and know what it takes. They set the tempo a lot of times for us."
-- SPRINGS UPDATE
#### -- HOMECOMINGS
Running back and kick return specialist Rock Cartwright hails from Conroe, Tex., a suburb of Houston. He is returning to his home state for the first time as a pro.
Last Sunday, Cartwright returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown at Texas Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys.
Linebacker Warrick Holdman attended Elsik High School in Alief, Tex., just outside of Houston.
Redskins assistant coach Steve Jackson is also a native of Houston. He played for the Houston Oilers from 1991-96.
