Springs Returns To Practice, Expects to Play

Cornerback Shawn Springs returned to practice yesterday, was listed as probable on the initial injury report and expects to play Saturday in the Redskins' NFC semifinal in Seattle. Wide receiver James Thrash, who underwent surgery for a fractured thumb Monday, did not practice, was listed as questionable and was still in a small cast yesterday.

Of Thrash's injury, Coach Joe Gibbs said, "We'll just have to see how that goes through the week."

Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels sat out practice with a sore knee, and has routinely rested early in the week before returning to practice. Samuels is listed as probable and will play. Defensive lineman Cornelius Griffin practiced and will play, but was listed as probable with a sore shoulder, and starting offensive linemen Jon Jansen and Ray Brown were rested for practice but were not listed on the injury report and will play.

"They need an extra day, and they're good guys," Joe Bugel, assistant head coach-offense, said of Samuels, Jansen and Brown. "They're be back out there swinging" today.

Getting Springs back would be a huge lift to a long-depleted secondary, and would reunite the top trio of cornerbacks -- along with rookie Carlos Rogers and veteran Walt Harris -- for the first time in more than a month. The last time all three were active for the same game was Dec. 4, at St. Louis.

Turning It Around

Without timely contributions from the defense, and its predilection for causing turnovers, the Redskins' season likely would have ended weeks ago. With the offense stagnant the last two weeks, the defense has been scoring and dictating field-position shifts, a complete departure from the first 11 games of the season.

The Redskins forced six turnovers in the regular season finale at Philadelphia and three more in Saturday's 17-10 win at Tampa Bay, with safety Sean Taylor returning a fumble for a touchdown for the second straight week.

"It's just a matter of going out there and doing it," said defensive end Phillip Daniels, who has been leading the turnover brigade. "Work hard, and good things come to you."

For much of the season, it appeared that hard work might go for naught. Washington recovered just three of the 19 fumbles it created in the first 11 games, but has recovered 10 of 14 during its six-game winning streak. No one appreciates the turnaround more than the offense. Quarterback Mark Brunell has been struggling lately, and the yards have been tough to come by, but the Redskins have generally protected the ball, and excelled at capitalizing on a short field when the defense provides that opportunity.

"That has been huge," Brunell said. "The last half of the season our defense obviously has gotten more turnovers, and we've given it away much less, too. That's how we want to play in December and January, and if we continue to do that we'll be okay."

Leaving Early

Gibbs has never traveled a day early to the West Coast before, but opted for the team to leave tomorrow rather than Friday for Seattle after consulting with his staff and players. Gibbs decided to err on the side of allowing for additional rest with the early departure, with the team scheduled for a walkthrough Friday in Seattle and lots of sleep on the agenda. "The players and coaches were up for it," Gibbs said . . . . The Redskins are optimistic that end Renaldo Wynn, who broke his right forearm Saturday and underwent season-ending surgery Sunday, will be able to travel with them. Guard Randy Thomas, who suffered a season-ending leg injury Dec. 18, also is scheduled to accompany the team to Seattle. Both are leaders on their respective units.

-- Jason La Canfora