Rabach says he will play

Washington Redskinscenter Casey Rabach said his strained groin is improving and he expects to return to the lineup this weekend against the New England Patriots.

Mike Pucillo filled in for Rabach in the Redskins’ 21-19 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, the first game Rabach has missed in his two-plus seasons with the team.

Athletic trainer John Burrell wouldn’t confirm Rabach would play against the Patriots but agreed he is making progress.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Rabach said. “I felt real confident throughout [last] week, but it’s the first time I’ve ever had a soft tissue [injury] like this.”

Burrell said strong side linebacker Marcus Washington, who sat out the past two games because of a pulled hamstring, can take full practice tomorrow.

Cornerback Carlos Rogers sprained an MCL against the Cardinals but kept playing, and Burrell said he should be fine. Cornerback Fred Smoot, who aggravated the injured hamstring that kept him out of Weeks 2 and 3, missed much of the Cardinals game but said he feels better. Burrell called the injury a mild strain.

Golston blocks

Special teams coach Danny Smith said defensive tackle Kedric Golston blocked the Cardinals’ extra-point attempt at the end of the first half.

The block turned out to be a huge play: That miss forced the Cardinals to go for two to tie the score after a touchdown in the game’s final minute.

“Kedric almost got the next one, too,” Smith said. “He just has a knack. He’s powerful. He was a champion wrestler in high school.”

Golston, who blocked a kick as a senior at Georgia, said the key is as much a matter of getting a good push as it is getting the hands up.

“I’m glad I was able to help the team with what turned out to a pretty big play,” said Golston, whose playing time has dwindled this year with the loss of his starting job to Anthony Montgomery.

Rock’s No. 1

Rock Cartwright leads the NFC in kickoff returns with a 29.2 average. Cartwright almost took a kickoff all the way to the end zone against the Cardinals but failed because he strained a quadriceps during the return.

Burrell said Cartwright will practice this week and should play against the Patriots.

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