Mitchell, Henson are active

Linebacker Robert Henson, Washington's sixth-round draft choice, is active for the first time today. Receiver Marko Mitchell, the seventh-rounder, is also active for the first time since Week 2.

Not so lucky was third-rounder Kevin Barnes as he has been all season. Instead, Mitchell takes the special teams spot usuually occupied by Byron Westbrook (knee).

Barnes' fellow rookie from Maryland, undrafted center Edwin Williams, is active for the first time.

Chris Horton, who tweaked a knee during Thursday's practice, will start. And linebacker H.B. Blades is active just 12 days after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

Second-year guard Chad Rinehart, who started Weeks 3 and 4 at right guard, is inactive for the fifth game.

Defensive linemen Anthony Montgomery and Renaldo Wynn are also inactive as they have been all year (Wynn was off the roster for Weeks 5 and 6 to accomodate the addition of punter Glenn Pakulak).

Tight end Chris Cooley (ankle) will miss the first game of his 6-year Redskins career. Like Blades and Westbrook, he was hurt on Oct. 26 against Philadelphia.

Fullback Eddie Williams, the seventh-rounder promoted fron the practice squad for this game, is inactive.

-- David Elfin