LANDOVER, Md. -- Washington Redskins left guard Kory Lichtensteiger, who missed practice all week with an ankle injury, is nonetheless active and expected to start Sunday's playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks here at FedEx Field. This is good news for the Redskins, who likely hope to combat Seattle's defensive speed with the help of cutback runs by running back Alfred Morris. As we discussed in this morning's matchups post, substituting rookie Josh LeRibeus in that spot could have affected the timing of the blocking on the cutbacks and made that more difficult. Of course, if Lichtensteiger is playing with an ankle injury, that could affect things in the run game as well as well as in the pass protection in front of quarterback Robert Griffin III. But the Redskins appear satisfied, after watching him work out prior to the game, that he can be effective.
Also active for the game are safety DeJon Gomes, who missed last week's game with a knee injury, and cornerback Cedric Griffin, who missed the final four games of the regular season due to a drug suspension.
Wide receiver/return man Brandon Banks is inactive, as has become custom. The Redskins say Niles Paul will return kickoffs and Richard Crawford will return punts. Also inactive is quarterback Rex Grossman, who was active last week when the Redskins activated three quarterbacks for the first time all season.
I'm here in the press box at FedEx Field, sitting next to the great John Clayton and a few seats over from our fine NFC West blogger, Mike Sando. We'll have plenty for you all day and into the night, and it'd be swell if you could join our Countdown Live chat during the game.
Meantime, the full list of inactives:
REDSKINS
QB Rex Grossman
WR Brandon Banks
LB Vic So'oto
SEAHAWKS
WR Deon Butler
SS Winston Guy
DT Jaye Howard
Enjoy the game, everyone. Talk to you again real soon.