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News & Notes: Jansen Reclaims Starting Job

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Jon Jansen is back at a familiar spot. He is once again the Redskins' starting right tackle, Jim Zorn said on Monday.

Jansen started Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, the first game that Stephon Heyer was fully healthy after missing time due to a shoulder injury.

The Redskins have been dominant running the ball the last four games, all started by Jansen.

"Jansen is going to be right there," Zorn said. "That group is working well together. It's unfortunate for Stephon, but I'm not going to mess with it."

Prior to the Redskins' season-opening matchup against the New York Giants, Zorn announced that Heyer would start over Jansen at right tackle.

Heyer injured his shoulder in Week 3 and he was sidelined for two of the next three games as a result.

Jansen has started ever since.

The Redskins have averaged 184.5 rushing yards per game with Jansen in the starting lineup the last four weeks.

Clinton Portis has rushed for 100 yards in each of those games, including 175 in the Redskins' 14-11 win over the Cleveland Browns last Sunday.

Zorn said he was "pleased" with how Jansen has responded to adversity this season.

"He has been consistent in there," Zorn said.

Zorn emphasized that Heyer would still be counted on.

"We're going to need Stephon," Zorn said. "At some point we're going to need that swing tackle. He has to come in and help us. That's what Stephon is going to do."


-- UPDATE ON CAMPBELL'S INJURY

Jason Campbell was at Redskins Park on Monday getting treatment for a minor groin injury.

"His groin is sore, but I think he'll be ready to practice on Wednesday," Jim Zorn said.

Campbell suffered the injury in the first half after he slipped as he was throwing a pass to Fred Davis.

On Monday, Campbell said he has been stretching the injury to make sure it stays loose.

"I won't miss any practice time," he said. "It's not that [major]. If I had to play a game tomorrow, I would be able to play."

The injury may have impacted Campbell's ability to throw the ball in the second half of Sunday's game against Cleveland.

"He was noticeably inaccurate on several throws that I felt like he should have hit and he felt he should have hit," Zorn said. "It was great that he continually pushed through it. He made some plays and kept us in the ball game."

-- PORTIS CARRYING 'A BIG LOAD'


Clinton Portis has a variety of bumps and bruises, including a hip flexor and injuries to his foot, his ankle and his shin, following Sunday's game against Cleveland.

"I think Clinton is going to be fine," Jim Zorn said. "He is just a little sore."

Zorn admitted that Portis, who leads the NFL with 163 carries for 818 yards, could be due for a rest in practice this week.

Portis had 27 carries for 175 yards, including a 3-yard TD run, against the Browns.

"He's carrying a big load," Zorn said. "I don't know if he needs a rest, but I'm willing to give it to him, that's for sure."


-- ALEXANDER IN THE MIX

Shaun Alexander had three carries for eight yards in his Redskins debut on Sunday.

"It was exciting to go play, and I'm excited to be a Redskin," he said. "Football is football."

Jim Zorn said Alexander would be "kicking himself" for missing a hole on one of his runs.

"Shaun got his feet wet by running the ball a few times," Zorn said. "He had one good run. The second run he had, had he run through the hole instead of making the ealry cut, he'd be up on the safety. And then he would have had a good decision to make because there was no one after the safety."

Alexander has not played since the end of last year. The improved decision-making will come as Alexander improves his vision of when to make cuts past blockers, Zorn said.


-- INJURIES TO GRIFFIN, SPRINGS

Cornelius Griffin continues to play with a shoulder injury, but Jim Zorn suggested on Monday that it might be wise to sit him out of this Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.

"He is the guy who is the most injured," Zorn said. "He went to heroics--he stayed in the whole game. He had a brace on [the shoulder] and he just never came out.

"I may want to give him a breather. But I am going to wait and see what he says and see what the doctors say. He may not practice much this week. He may rest it, and then we'll see what happens.

"He wants to do battle. He wants to be with his guys on the line of scrimmage. It will be hard to keep him out."

Shawn Springs, who sat out the Browns game, is still "doubtful" due to his calf injury, Zorn said.

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