Carlos Rogers will be sidelined for the rest of the season after he suffered knee ligament injuries in Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.
Rogers underwent a series of tests on his right knee on Monday. He was diagnosed with tears in his MCL and ACL in the knee, and he will require season-ending knee surgery.
"We have bad news on Carlos," Joe Gibbs said during his Monday press conference. "The doctors are still analyzing it, but it looks like it's something that would keep him out for the rest of the season."
Rogers suffered the knee injury as he was blocked on a short pass to Patriots running back Kevin Faulk. Rogers gingerly walked off the field with help from two athletic trainers and he did not return to the game.
Rogers was replaced by Leigh Torrence, a first-year cornerback who finished with seven tackles in his first extended action of the season. Eight-year veteran David Macklin saw action in nickel packages.
Fred Smoot is expected to step into Rogers' starting job. Smoot has missed three games this season, including Sunday's game against the Patriots, with a lingering hamstring injury.
"I have to get back, point blank," Smoot said. "With Carlos out, I can't afford to sit out. Hopefully I can get back to 100 percent. Some other guys are going to have to step up and keep everything going."
Gibbs said team officials would consider its options in terms of adding depth at cornerback. It's possible the team could work out several free agents on Tuesday.
The Redskins' have Springs, Smoot, Torrence and Macklin as cornerbacks on the roster, plus they have young prospects John Eubanks and Byron Westbrook on the practice squad.
"I think we'll look at all of our options there just based on what we think is best," Gibbs said. "Obviously we have two guys there on the practice squad who we really like--young guys that [cornerbacks coach] Jerry Gray has been working with. We'll make a decision based on everything that's out there."
For Rogers, the season-ending injury is a tough way to end his third NFL season. After a difficult 2006 season, Rogers had made strides this year.
The Redskins' top draft pick in 2005, Rogers finished his third NFL season with 25 tackles, seven passes defended and an interception that he returned 61 yards for a touchdown.
"Carlos is a real tough guy," Gibbs said. "We like him as a tackler because he'll come up and smack you. We love his attitude and he's very competitive. He was continuing to mature and get better.
"That's something that we're going to have to overcome. Somebody else is going to have to step in and play well. Hopefully we'll get Fred back. There'll be some other guys who'll have to step up. David Macklin is going to have to step up."
