Washington Redskins yet to decide their starting running back – NFL News
Washington Redskins are yet to decide their starting running back for the 2012 National Football League (NFL) season as the competition between some players and injuries to others continue to delay the decision making process.
Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan has a few options in front of him, but he is yet to make up his mind.
According to the details present on the team’s website, Shanahan has said that he is going to monitor performance of all the players during their next preseason games before making the final call. He said:
“The best players are going to play, and who they are right now I’m not really sure. It’s a very competitive situation and hopefully in the next three games I will have a better indication of who should be the guy.”
Redskins won their first preseason game against Buffalo Bills. They will face Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before starting their regular season campaign with a game against New Orleans Saints.
Running backs Tim Hightower, Roy Helu Jr. and Evan Royster started some games respectively for them last season and one of them could have easily earned the starting role for the upcoming season. However, Hightower is limited due to an ACL tear while Helu
is also out with an injury.
After their practice on Wednesday, Shanahan described the status of his players by saying:
“With Tim, we’re hoping that he keeps on getting better where he’s able to go full-speed so we can see him in a game situation. Helu has got a little tendinitis in practice today.”
The injuries to these players have paved the way for youngsters Tristan Davis and Alfred Morris, who could get more playing time in the upcoming season if they impress the coaches.
Meanwhile, Helu has expressed disappointment on suffering the injury. While acknowledging that it is not a good idea to play the season with injuries, he hoped for his early recovery. He wished that circumstances were better for him, and said:
“But I also know that this is just the hand I’m dealt and I have to do my best with getting fully healthy before getting out there.”
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