Rogers out against Colts

Washington Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers declared himself out of Sunday’s game at Indianapolis because of a broken right thumb that required surgery and the insertion of three pins on Monday.

His arm in a sling, Rogers is hopeful he can return for the Redskins’ Nov. 5 game against Dallas. Washington has a bye next week.

Rogers said he jammed the thumb in the first half against Tennessee and broke it in the third quarter when he tackled Travis Henry.

“The bye week is going to help a lot,” said Rogers, who will get a new cast on Monday. “I’ve broke this thumb before and missed one game before coming back. I’ll probably have it numbed up for the game and I’ll be ready for the Cowboys.”

The Redskins have operated short-handed in the secondary all season. Shawn Springs made his season debut against the Titans.

Rogers’ absence could mean Kenny Wright and Mike Rumph could start and Springs and newcomer Troy Vincent will play bigger roles. Vincent said he worked at safety during yesterday’s walkthrough, but he started his career as a cornerback.

“I’ve got a good feel for what the corners are doing here,” he added.

In other injury news, defensive tackles Joe Salave’a (calf) and Cornelius Griffin (hip) and receiver David Patten (thigh) — who all missed the Tennessee game — remain questionable. Patten practiced yesterday.

Springs (groin), left guard Derrick Dockery (hip) and linebackers Lemar Marshall (ankle) and Marcus Washington (hip) are probable. Dockery, Marshall and Washington missed practice.

New niche for Rock

Each year, Rock Cartwright finds a new role.

“Rock realizes the more he can do, the better off he’ll be,” teammate James Thrash said.

In his fourth season with the Redskins, Cartwright’s speciality has become returning kickoffs. When Clinton Portis was slowed during the preseason with a shoulder injury, Ladell Betts was removed from the kickoff team because he was expected to get more carries. That left Cartwright and Thrash. The setup has remained unchanged and Cartwright ranks fifth in the NFL with a 25.8-yard average.

Before this season, Cartwright had only 16 career returns for a 17.3-yard average. He has 24 returns through six games, including a 100-yard touchdown at Dallas in Week 2.

The Redskins have the third-best starting field position in the league (28.8 yard line), a credit to Cartwright’s consistency. Fourteen of his returns have gained at least 20 yards and he has five of 30-plus yards.

Story Continues →