Jansen, Heyer still competing for job

By David Elfin (Contact) | Saturday, August 30, 2008

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Jon Jansen has been the Washington Redskins' starting right tackle, when healthy, since the team drafted him in the second round in 1999. But new coach Jim Zorn put that nine-year reign in jeopardy on Friday by declaring Jansen and second-year man Stephon Heyer are battling for the job.

"Stephon has a chance to compete for the position, I will say that," Zorn said. "I'm not giving up on Jon Jansen. He's been a great player [over the years]. Jon's been solid this preseason. So that's going to be a battle, a very close battle."

Jansen, who sat out Thursday's 24-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars with a sprained left foot he suffered Aug. 23 against the Carolina Panthers, missed all but five quarters in 2007 with a broken left leg and dislocated right ankle. He played much of 2006 with a torn calf muscle, all of 2005 with at least one broken thumb and all of 2004 with a ruptured right Achilles' tendon.

"I guess it means I'm in a fight for my position," the 32-year-old said. "I've felt I've done a good job this preseason. I didn't play very well against the Panthers, but neither did anybody else. Until then, I've had lot people in the organization tell me I was having the best camp I've ever had."

Zorn said Jansen should practice this week, but Heyer could start Thursday's season opener at the New York Giants if Jansen's foot hasn't fully recovered. Veteran tackle Todd Wade, who took over for Jansen last year before yielding the job to rookie free agent Heyer, could be one of Saturday's final 22 cuts after missing the final four preseason games with a right high ankle sprain.

"I thought Stephon Heyer helped himself last night," Zorn said. "He shored things up for us over there. Now that Stephon is playing [after missing two weeks with a mild sprained knee], he has a chance to play some this year, too."

Heyer was pleased after he heard what Zorn said.

"I'm a little bit surprised," Heyer said. "I guess it's good for me."

Receiver Malcolm Kelly's left knee is ailing so Zorn said he could be placed on the physically unable to perform list, which would keep him out a minimum of six weeks or even on season-ending injured reserve.

"Malcolm's knee is sore," Zorn said. "It swelled up at the end of his pregame warmup, which was not good. We've been trying to get him on the field. It's frustrating from him as well, but we have to deal with reality of his knee not responding well right now. His talent is there. We recognize he's almost back. I don't know if we can afford to keep him active."

Kelly's inability to play the entire preseason - he missed the Hall of Fame Game with a tender hamstring and the past four games after having the knee scoped - might have clinched a roster spot for Billy McMullen. The receiver, who played at Virginia, had a team-leading 20 catches and 227 yards in preseason.

"He really made a statement that he was going to do things right and be at the right place," Zorn said. "He didn't have blazing speed getting to where he was getting, but he got there. He is in the right spot. He was catching the ball. He was heads-up trying to get up the field every single game. He was consistent doing that."

Alfred Fincher, who didn't sign until July 31, is another surprising player who might've earned the last linebacker's job with a solid performance against the Jaguars.

"Fincher helped himself," Zorn said. "He did very, very well. He kind of went wild for us, making some tackles, making some plays."

As far as the choice of incumbent punter Derrick Frost or sixth-rounder Durant Brooks, Zorn said, "We're kind of letting things simmer right now."

Zorn said if defensive end Jason Taylor's sprained right knee doesn't progress well and he doesn't practice next week, he probably won't play against the Giants.

There was no update on the severity of the strained hamstring rookie safety Kareem Moore's suffered against Jacksonville. Cornerback Cedric Holt and receiver Maurice Mann, both long shots, sprained ankles. Cornerback Byron Westbrook sat out with a similar injury. Veteran linebacker Khary Campbell rested a bruised thigh.

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