The Redskins unveiled a revamped right offensive line on Thursday night against the Chicago Bears: rookie Stephon Heyer started at right tackle and Randy Thomas made his return at right guard.
It was a short stint for Thomas, though. He injured his elbow early in the second quarter and left the game. He was replaced by Jason Fabini.
Thomas played for the first time since Week 2 when he suffered a triceps injury.
After months of rehab, he had increased his practice workload the last two weeks and was listed as probable heading into Thursday's game.
Heyer replaced Wade in the starting lineup. It was Heyer's second NFL start; he also started the Week 11 game against Tampa Bay.
Wade was deactivated in favor of Heyer, the undrafted rookie out of Maryland.
Wade had a series of nagging injuries this season, including groin and knee injuries, but he was not listed on the Redskins' injury report heading into the Bears game.
The Redskins' offense struggled in the ground game last Sunday against Buffalo, totaling just 79 rushing yards on 29 carries, a 2.7 yards-per-carry average. Clinton Portis had 50 yards on 25 carries in the game.
The Redskins' complete list of inactive players was as follows: wide receivers Jimmy Farris and James Thrash, cornerback David Macklin, linebacker Randall Godfrey and Wade.
Thrash remains sidelined with a sprained ankle.
-- GRIFFIN TAKES DOWN GROSSMAN
Cornelius Griffin has had several big games against the Chicago Bears in his career. On Thursday night, he got off to a strong start when he knocked quarterback Rex Grossman from the game.
Early in the first quarter, Griffin fended off a block and fell into the knee of Grossman, who lay on the ground for several minutes before leaving the game.
Grossman was replaced by 10-year veteran Brian Griese.
In a 2004 game against Chicago, Griffin had 10 tackles and two tackles in a 17-10 win for the Redskins at Soldier Field. The following season, Griffin logged four tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and fumble recovery in a 9-7 win for the Redskins at FedExField.
-- SINCLAIR MAKES NFL DEBUT
Linebacker Matt Sinclair played in his first NFL game on Thursday night.
Sinclair, a 6-2, 245-pound first-year player out of Illinois, was on the field for the opening kickoff and saw action on special teams.
Sinclair was signed to the roster from the Redskins' practice squad last week. He took the roster spot of Sean Taylor, who passed away on Nov. 27.
