In a bit of a surprise, left tackle Chris Samuels was added to the Redskins' inactive list for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.

Samuels has cartilage inflammation in his right knee, the team reported prior to the game at Ford Field.

Samuels' knee was sore in recent weeks, but it was anticipated he would be available to play against Detroit.

He practiced all week and was not listed on the team's injury report leading up to the Lions game.

At pre-game, Samuels warmed up on Ford Field under the supervision of athletic trainers, but it was decided that he should sit out the game.

In his place, Stephon Heyer drew the start at left tackle.

Heyer started the first three games of the regular season at right tackle, but Jon Jansen re-claimed the starting job at that position.

It was the first time since the 2003 season that Samuels has missed a game.

Samuels had started 73 consecutive games for the Redskins prior to Sunday's game against the Lions.

-- WITH HORTON OUT, GREEN STARTS

Chris Horton was among the Redskins' inactives for Sunday's game against Detroit, so Mike Green started at strong safety for the Redskins.

It was Green's first start as a Redskin. He signed with the Redskins last week after Reed Doughty was placed on injured reserve.

The nine-year veteran has starting experience. He started 45 games with the Chicago Bears from 2000-05 and started one game with the Seattle Seahawks from 2006-07.

Horton remained slowed by an ankle injury. He was listed as probable heading into the game.

Horton warmed up at pre-game at Ford Field, and at that point it was decided that he should sit out the game.

As expected, the Redskins were without wide receiver Malcolm Kelly (knee), cornerback Shawn Springs (calf), running back Ladell Betts (knee) and defensive tackle Cornlius Griffin (shoulder) for Sunday's game.

The team had listed them as out for the game last Friday.

Offensive linemen Chris Samuels and Chad Rinehart rounded out the Redskins' list of inactives.

-- JANSEN RETURNS TO DETROIT

Jon Jansen officially re-claimed his starting job at right tacklejust as the Redskins were getting set to play his hometown team in the Detroit Lions.

It was a special game for Jansen, who grew up in Clawson, Mich., a suburb of Detroit. He had plenty of family and friends in attendance at Ford Field.

Jansen re-claimed the starting job from Stephon Heyer, who was named the starter in Week 1 but suffered a shoulder injury three weeks later.

With Jansen in the lineup, the Redskins have been dominant in the run game, averaging 184.5 rushing yards each of the last four weeks.

"I want to go out there and contribute any way I can," Jansen said. "To have a back that is playing as well as [Clinton Portis] is playing is extra special. I'm obviously excited to be back out there playing."

Said Portis: "Jon came back into the starting lineup with the idea that no one was going to replace him again. All of a sudden, he had a wake-up call. He realized, 'They just benched me.' So he came back with something to prove. Whoever is [lined up] in front of Jansen, he has been getting mauled."

-- TAYLOR STARTS

Jason Taylor was back in the starting lineup on Sunday, two days after he went to the hospital for further evaluation of his calf injury.

Taylor was part of a defensive end rotation and recorded one tackle in the Redskins' 25-17 win over the Lions.

Taylor is expected to head back to the hospital on Sunday night or Monday morning to have another medical procedure on his calf.

The team will update Taylor's status on Monday. His availability for the Nov. 3 game against Pittsburgh is uncertain.