Fullback Mike Sellers was among the Redskins' inactive players for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sellers did not make the trip to Tampa and he was declared out by the team on Saturday. Sellers suffered a back injury during practice last week and had been listed as doubtful on Friday.
Head coach Joe Gibbs indicated on Friday there would be some concern that Sellers' back might worsen should he make the 2-hour plane trip to Tampa.
With Sellers out, Todd Yoder started the game at fullback for the Redskins. Yoder, a former Buccaneer, also served in the Redskins' two tight end packages.
Brian Kozlowski was active for his first game back as a Redskin and available to serve in place of Sellers if necessary.
Right tackle Todd Wade was also among the Redskins' inactive players. Wade suffered a sprained knee in last Sunday's game at Dallas. He was replaced in the lineup by rookie Stephon Heyer.
Safety Sean Taylor and wide receiver James Thrash did not make the trip to Tampa and they were declared out for Sunday's game. Reed Doughty drew the start for Taylor at free safety.
The Redskins' complete list of inactive players was as follows: Taylor, cornerback David Macklin, Sellers, Wade, defensive tackle Ryan Boschetti, guard Randy Thomas and Thrash.
For the Bucs, defensive end Greg Spires was out with a calf injury. He was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Gaines Adams.
-- TAMPA BAY RIVALRY?
The Redskins and Buccaneers have played every year since 2003, including twice in 2005 when the two clubs faced off in a Wild Card playoff game.
Every game but one has been closely contested, with the Buccaneers holding a 3-2 edge in that span. The Redskins won the most critical game, a 17-10 victory over the Bucs in the 2005 playoffs.
"This will be the sixth time in five years we've played," Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber said last week. "It's almost as if we're developing a rivalry with these guys because we've played them so many times, including the playoff loss we had down here."
Barber said that his familiarity with the Redskins has helped him "understand how the Redskins work."
It's the third consecutive year that the Redskins will play in Tampa.
That prompted head coach Joe Gibbs to joke that he wanted to talk to the Redskins' athletic director about a "home and home series."
Added Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden: "It's strange that we happen to play in Tampa, although we did earn that right in the playoffs a couple of years ago--the game they won. It is almost like we are in the same division. I'm sure they feel the same way."
-- BIRTHDAY FOR GIBBS
Joe Gibbs turned 67 years old on Sunday.
"I don't celebrate birthdays anymore," Gibbs joked. "I always say, 'I'm playing in the fourth quarter on house money.' I'm definitely playing in the fourth quarter."
It's only the second time that Gibbs has coached a game on his birthday. The last time was in 1984, against the Buffalo Bills at RFK Stadium. The result: a 41-14 win.
