Redskins uncertain on punt returners

The Washington Redskins have not yet decided what combination of Antwaan Randle El, Santana Moss and DeAngelo Hall they will use to return punts against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

A published report suggested Hall would replace Randle El as the No. 1 returner. However, a highly placed Redskins source said Randle El still is being considered despite a muffed punt against the Philadelphia Eagles, a fumble out of bounds the previous week against the Kansas City Chiefs and a botched fair catch the week before that against the Carolina Panthers.

The Redskins would like to use Hall and Moss more in that capacity but have reservations because those players are, respectively, the biggest playmakers on the defense and offense.

The source said there also is concern that Hall hasn’t fielded a punt since 2007. He was set to handle one in the fourth quarter against the Eagles, but Sav Rocca shanked the punt.

Hall scored on five of his 56 punt returns at Virginia Tech but has returned just 13 punts during his six NFL seasons with a 9.5 average and no scores. Randle El, demoted from his starting receiver role this season, ranks 25th in the league with a 5.3-yard average and is tied for second in the league with 11 fair catches.

The game marks a different kind of return for Hall, who made the Pro Bowl twice during his four seasons with the Falcons.

“There’s obviously a little more emotion tied into this one,” Hall said. “I was pretty good [for the Falcons]. We just need a win. You asked if I’ll [shed a tear]. Hell yeah, I’ll cry if we win. If we win, you’ll see me crying like [a baby].”

A pair of surgeries

Special teamers H.B. Blades and Byron Westbrook each had a knee scoped Oct. 27, a day after suffering a torn meniscus during the 27-17 loss to the Eagles.

Blades and Westbrook could return as soon as Nov. 15 against the Denver Broncos, though a team source said Blades could play against the Falcons. Players usually need two to four weeks to recover from such operations.

Rookies Robert Henson and Kevin Barnes could debut Sunday in place of Blades and Westbrook.

“I’m a smarter player than I was in August,” said Henson, a sixth-round pick. “Sitting on the sidelines gave me a new perspective on the game.”

Barnes, a third-round pick, said he matured while dealing with being listed as inactive for each game.

“I took [football] for granted,” Barnes said. “College and high school, I could just come out and just play. Here you can have talent, but you have to have the hard work behind it.”

Story Continues →