Betts, Rinehart suffer serious injuries

ARLINGTON, Texas | Now even the Washington Redskins’ backups thrust into key positions because of injuries can’t stay on the field.

Running back Ladell Betts suffered left MCL damage in the first quarter, and right guard Chad Rinehart suffered a fractured right fibula in the third quarter of the Redskins’ 7-6 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Already without starters Clinton Portis and Randy Thomas at those two positions, the Redskins will move to their third tailback and fifth right guard next week at Philadelphia.

“With our injuries, it was, ‘Not again,’ ” coach Jim Zorn said. “We’ll just keep putting the next guy in.”

Rock Cartwright replaced Betts and rushed 13 times for 67 yards. Edwin Williams replaced Rinehart to get his first significant NFL action.

Fresh off a 114-yard game last week against Denver, Betts was injured on his third carry when linebacker Bradie James rolled him up from behind.

“It just felt awkward,” said Betts, who limped off the field. “I knew something was hurt, but I didn’t know the severity or anything. When they brought me to the sideline, they tested the stability, and the knee was moving around a little bit, so they shut me down and iced me up.”

Betts will undergo an MRI on Monday. Zorn ruled out Portis for the Philadelphia game, and it’s likely the Redskins will sign another running back (Marcus Mason is a candidate) to provide depth.

Rinehart went down when he was rolled up by Cartwright. An air cast was immediately applied, and Rinehart was carted off the field. Surgery is possible for the second-year pro.

Williams, a rookie free agent from Maryland (and DeMatha), played most of the second half.

“I’m happy I finally got to get my feet wet,” he said.

Timeout issues

Trailing by a point, the Redskins started their final drive at the 14-yard line with only one timeout after burning their first two earlier in the second half.

The Redskins’ first timeout came with 2:10 remaining in the third quarter and the second with 10:03 left in the fourth.

“We got caught on the clock, and I really don’t know how it happened because I felt like we got the play and were in the huddle and we were down to one before we knew it,” Zorn said. “I absolutely have no idea how that happened.”

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