Jansen Could Be Demoted

Jansen received $10 million in guaranteed money after the 2006 season. During the team's coaching search, some candidates raised the issue of cutting Jansen, but they were told it would be too expensive to do before the 2008 season, according to multiple people involved in the process.

Jansen has had two major injuries the previous four seasons. He missed the 2004 season after rupturing his Achilles' in the preseason Hall of Fame game and came back to start every game in 2005. He is not ready to step aside.

"It's always an open competition every year," Jansen said. "We'll just see how things go."

As for Kelly, he was expected to provide an immediate boost for the receiving corps. Drafted out of Oklahoma as one of the team's three second-round picks, Kelly was among the Redskins' most impressive rookies early in camp, coaches and players said.

However, Kelly and rookie wide receiver Devin Thomas -- the Redskins' top pick -- incurred the wrath of Zorn because of their poor performances in a conditioning drill. Initially slowed in camp because of a hamstring injury, Kelly underwent arthroscopic surgery Aug. 4 on his left knee.

Because of the complexities of the Redskins' version of the West Coast offense and the learning curve of rookies in the NFL, Zorn said he does not expect contributions from Kelly and Thomas, who struggled in three preseason games, early in the season. And Kelly's knee injury is a long-term concern.

"We've got to develop a plan for him," Zorn said. "I'm not sure exactly what that's going to entail."

The Redskins plan to consider many options, Zorn said. They could keep Kelly active while he continues to rehab or place him on the physically unable to perform list, which would sideline him a minimum of six weeks. Or there is injured reserve. "We have to deal with the reality of his knee not responding well right now," Zorn said.

With the roster having to be set by 6 p.m., the decision on a punter is among the most difficult for Zorn. The competition between veteran Derrick Frost and rookie Durant Brooks has ended, and the Redskins are "just letting things simmer right now," Zorn said. Special teams coach Danny Smith will have significant input in the decision, and the Redskins will take a collaborative approach to selecting the roster.

Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations, Scott Campbell, director of player personnel, and Bubba Tyer, director of sports medicine, are among the many Redskins officials who will be involved, Zorn said.

"I would never make an independent decision and say, 'This is the way it is, and that's it,' because it's not," Zorn said. "In this game it's a team effort.

"Vinny and Scott have not evaluated those players to not have an opinion about how they've seen them progress, or not progress, so they've got a thought or two in the mix. We're all eventually going to have a thought process in there. We've got to give 'em the best-case scenario, regardless of monies, regardless of veterans. We owe it to ourselves to at least suggest the best 53 to begin with."

And Zorn will have the final vote? "I hope so," he said.

Staff writer Jason La Canfora contributed to this report.