Back Injury Will Keep Sellers Out

Washington Redskins fullback Mike Sellers has been ruled out of tomorrow's game against the Buffalo Bills, the second consecutive game he has missed because of a back injury.

Sellers sat out practice this week as the Redskins (5-6) prepared to play the Bills (5-6) at FedEx Field in their first game since safety Sean Taylor died of a gunshot wound Tuesday in Miami. Last week, Washington re-signed tight end Brian Kozlowski after Sellers injured his back in practice Nov. 21.

The Redskins also could be without wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, who aggravated a hamstring injury in last Sunday's 19-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Randle El participated in limited drills for a third day yesterday. Defensive lineman Cornelius Griffin (foot) participated in full drills after missing the first two practices, and wide receiver James Thrash (high-ankle sprain) has been ruled out of his third straight game.

Interestingly, the Redskins listed offensive lineman Randy Thomas as questionable. Thomas, the team's starting right guard who tore his left triceps in the second game of the season, returned to practice last week. During interviews this week, Thomas repeatedly said he doesn't expect to play tomorrow.

"Oh, c'mon man, of course not," Thomas said. "This kind of stuff is unpredictable. I'm taking my time. I don't want to have a setback. I do have a future. I want to be around, so I'm gonna play it smart."

Thomas is regaining form quickly, Coach Joe Gibbs said.

"Randy looked good in practice all week. It was another step up for him," Gibbs said. "We always leave it up to the player and the medical team as to the status for the game, everything. It was good to see him out there and good to see him working."

Moving Forward

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Completing a week of practice helped the team as it struggled to cope with Taylor's death, the Redskins said.

"Some times are a little tougher than others," linebacker Marcus Washington said. "For the most part, it's been upbeat today. I think guys started feeling a little better. It definitely helps just being around each other."

Said Gibbs: "Our guys have been real, real professional all week. The way they handled everything emotionally and everything this week, they did as good as you can do."

Doughty Expected to Start

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Second-year safety Reed Doughty has started the last two games in place of Taylor, who sprained his right knee Nov. 11 against Philadelphia, and is expected to remain with the first-team defense.

"With [Taylor] being out previously, people can see on film what we've been doing," Doughty said. "I feel like we can plug about three or four different people in there and do the same things."