Quarterback Fife Is Added to Practice Squad

With quarterback Jason Campbell expected to miss the last three games of the season because of a knee injury, the Washington Redskins signed quarterback Jason Fife, 26, to the practice squad yesterday.

Campbell dislocated his left kneecap and sprained his medial collateral ligament in Thursday's 24-16 victory over the Chicago Bears, prompting the Redskins to sign Fife. New starter Todd Collins and backup Mark Brunell, who had been the No. 3 quarterback in the first 13 games, were the team's only healthy quarterbacks.

Fife, 6 feet 4 and 225 pounds, formerly was with the New Orleans Saints. Released before the season, Fife was on the Saints' active roster and practice squad in 2006. After playing at Oregon, Fife signed with the Detroit Lions as a rookie free agent in 2004. He also spent time with the Minnesota Vikings. To make room for Fife on the practice squad, the Redskins released linebacker Tyson Smith.

Washington did not put Campbell on injured reserve, a move that would have ended his season. The Redskins have not provided a timetable for Campbell's return, but it appears unlikely he will play again this season unless the team reaches the playoffs.

"They haven't said anything. I'm walking around here just wondering as everybody else," said Campbell, who limped around Redskins Park on crutches before practice. "I have a dislocated knee and a sprained MCL. I don't even know when I'll start back running just yet. It's a tough situation."

The Redskins are proceeding cautiously with rehabilitation, Campbell said. "One thing you try to do your first week is get all the swelling out," he said. "Then you just try to see where you can go from that point."

In relief of Campbell against Chicago, Collins completed 15 of 20 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He had a 144.6 passer rating. Collins, 36, is scheduled to start Sunday night against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium -- his first start since Dec. 14, 1997.

"Sitting and waiting for 10 years, I have the utmost respect for him," Campbell said. "It takes a lot of courage and a lot of heart to be able to do that. It takes a lot of heart and dedication, a lot of hard work, just to stay mentally into everything."

Collins, who was named NFC offensive player of the week for his game Thursday, also worked under Al Saunders, associate head coach-offense, with the Kansas City Chiefs. Collins's familiarity with Saunders's offense is "one thing he has [going] great for him right now," Campbell said. "Everything he hears, he's heard like 10, 15 times before. It's not like he has to learn anything. He's able to just go out there and be himself. That makes a difference when you know the offense from top to bottom."

Thomas Is Uncertain

Out since Week 2 because of a torn left triceps, left guard Randy Thomas returned to the lineup against Chicago but left in the first quarter because he had limited use of his arm. Thomas is unsure if he will play against the Giants. "I just don't know," Thomas said. "I don't know how we're going to approach that, but it's still early in the week. We'll see what I do in practice" today.

Staff writer Jason La Canfora contributed to this report.