Shawn Springs was among the inactive players for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. Springs has been slowed by a hamstring injury in recent weeks.
The decision to deactivate Springs came as a mild surprise, because the veteran cornerback had practiced two days last week and he was listed as probable on the injury report heading into Sunday's game.
Team officials said Springs's hamstring worsened late last week, so it was decided to rest the 10-year NFL veteran.
"It came down toward the end of the week and Shawn said he had something slight on the bottom of his hamstring," head coach Joe Gibbs said. "We felt like he was going to be fine, but we brought him here and worked him out. He said he could still feel it.
"We don't want somebody playing like that. It was a tough decision for us. He's one of our leaders and we lost him right before the game."
Kenny Wright started in place of Springs, opposite Carlos Rogers. Wright had started in place of Springs earlier this season when Springs was sidelined due to abdominal surgery last August.
The Redskins' secondary was also without safety Troy Vincent, who was inactive due to a hamstring injury. Vernon Fox started in place of Vincent.
Linebacker and special teams standout Khary Campbell was also inactive with a hamstring injury. Campbell suffered the injury in last Sunday's 17-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
The Redskins' complete list of inactive players was as follows: wide receivers Mike Espy and David Patten, Springs, Vincent, Campbell, offensive lineman Taylor Whitley and tight end Brian Kozlowski.
-- POST-GAME INJURY REPORT
#### -- GIBBS ON THE FALCONS ORGANIZATION
Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs has ties to the Atlanta Falcons organization. Gibbs was a minority owner with the Falcons from 2002-03, before returning to serve as head coach in Washington in January 2004.
"I have a lot of respect for a lot of people over there," Gibbs said of the Atlanta organization. "[Falcons owner and CEO] Arthur Blank and I had a relationship when we were racing and he was at Home Depot. I think he is an excellent person. I got to know him and spend some time with him. Certainly he gave me an opportunity there. There are a lot of other people in the organization that I know.
"Certainly there are people there I know and have respect for but they are getting ready from a Falcons standpoint and we are getting ready from a Redskins standpoint."
In January 2004, there was some speculation that Gibbs was being recruited to serve as Atlanta's head coach. After Gibbs rejoined the Redskins, the Falcons opted to hire Jim Mora, Jr., as head coach.
Explained Gibbs: "There was a conversation, but there was nothing serious about it. I really felt like this is the only place I could coach."
As for Mora, he coaches against the Redskins and Gibbs for the first time.
"I have always had great respect for him," Mora said last week. "He is a legend and it is an honor to be on the field with him."
