WT: Clark jumping back into action

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Clark jumping back into action

http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20050916-120753-8006r_page2.htm

http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20050916-120753-8006r.htm

By Ryan O'Halloran

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

September 16, 2005

Already one of the most carefree Washington Redskins, safety Ryan Clark was hopping around the locker room yesterday afternoon with additional giddy-up.

After battling two knee injuries since the first week of August that forced him out of the season opener against Chicago, Clark is back practicing and expects to play Monday night in Dallas.

"The guys played so well last week. I felt good watching them play but felt bad because I wasn't able to contribute," Clark said.

Clark was expected to miss four to six weeks after spraining his posterior cruciate ligament in August. But he returned to play against Baltimore on Sept. 1 only to get his knee rolled up.

"He's had two good days of practice, and if he can get through this week of practice, he'll be back in the mix," assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams said. "The big thing with Ryan is since the Baltimore scrimmage [Aug. 6] he's had very little practice, and he needs that. He has a lot more practicing to do."

Clark signed on the eve of training camp last year and was one of the defense's many surprises, starting 11 games and making 91 tackles.

"I'm trying to get back because I know the type of players we have," Clark said. "It's a possibility I may never start here [again]."

In other injury news, linebacker Chris Clemons (hamstring) and right tackle Jon Jansen (thumbs) were upgraded to probable. Defensive tackle Brandon Noble (knee surgery) is out, and kicker John Hall (right quadriceps) remains questionable and did not practice yesterday.

"I feel lot of better. I've been doing all of the treatments, but it's different when you have to strike the ball, so we'll see," Hall said. "I want to play, which means they have to see me kick. When that will happen, I don't know."

Former Maryland kicker Nick Novak was signed Tuesday and will play if Hall is not available.

Added role for two

The absence of Noble for at least four weeks means Ryan Boschetti and Cedric Killings could join the rotation behind starters Cornelius Griffin and Joe Salave'a.

"You have to be ready to fill in when another guy goes down, and our defense does a good job of that," Boschetti said. "Noble was a big double-team, run-stuffer in the middle, and it's a big loss. We all bring something different to the table."

Boschetti appeared in three games last season, and Killings made his Washington debut last week.

"They're definitely two guys that can handle it," defensive end Phillip Daniels said. "One or both of them will step up and help us keep this thing going."

Inspiring return

Early in training camp, Anthony Lynn, in his first year as the Dallas running backs coach, was crossing the street when he was hit by a car, whose drunken driver fled the scene. The impact catapulted Lynn 45 feet down the street, collapsed both his lungs and resulted in serious facial injuries.

Lynn, though, has made a tremendous recovery. Following plastic surgery on his face, Lynn is back on the job. The driver who struck Lynn was apprehended less than an hour after the accident.

"I realized in the blink of an eye my wife could've been a widow and my [two] kids could've been fatherless," Lynn told Dallas reporters last week. "I feel blessed and feel like I'm here for a reason. I want to make the most out of this second chance."

Extra points

Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington recently helped Hurricane Katrina evacuees who are staying at the D.C. Armory. Arrington and his wife, Trisha, gave $200 Wal-Mart gift cards to more than 150 people. ...

Daniels, Clinton Portis and James Thrash were the players of the week from the Chicago game, earning them front-row parking spots in front of Redskin Park. ...

Defensive back Charles Byrd, waived by the Redskins on Aug. 29, was signed to the practice squad yesterday, replacing Christian Morton, who was signed to Atlanta's active roster.