Roster moves loom; Horton 'tweaks' knee

Another day, another injury, another corresponding roster move on the horizon. And a new twist - a bit of uncertainty surrounding safety Chris Horton. First, the injury: punter Hunter Smith aggravated his lingering groin injury in practice Wednesday and will be inactive this week at Atlanta. Touted as one of the team's most important offseason additions, Smith's future seems a bit murkier than it did just a week ago. After missing two games with a groin injury, Smith returned to punt against Philadelphia. His status for the rest of the season is apparently up in the air. "I don't want to put down Hunter because he's healing," Coach Jim Zorn said. "I don't want to put him down right now." The team worked out two punters today and plan to sign Sam Paulescu, a former Oregon State punter who was with Dallas as an undrafted free agent in 2007 and again last year. The team also worked out journeyman punter Reggie Hodges, a Ball State product who was selected by St. Louis in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Since then, Hodges has spent time with at least a half dozen teams. Zorn said Smith's lingering injury has been a frustrating one for the whole team. "It's gotten to that point where I've got to make a decision," Zorn said. "And yet, I still want to give him another week and see if things get strong. He's trying to push as strong as he can." The team must free up a roster spot to make room for Paulescu, and Zorn acknowledged that recently-signed running back Quinton Ganther would be a possible victim of numbers. The team hopes another potential injury isn't as serious as Smith's. During practice Thursday, safety Chris Horton injured his knee. Zorn said he hoped it was simply a "tweak." "I don't know the extent of it, but he couldn't finish practice," Zorn said. Zorn didn't think Horton would require an MRI. "I hope he'll be fine," Zorn said. "I hope he'll practice tomorrow." Zorn said Stephon Heyer fully participated in practice. Linebacker H.B. Blades worked out but still might be doubtful for Sunday's game. Cornerback Byron Westbrook did not practice and it doesn't look like he'll be ready for the Falcons'. After practice, Zorn also addressed John Riggins' critical comments aimed at the organization. He said he didn't hear Riggins' comments but did read defensive coordinator Greg Blache's reaction from earlier in the day to Riggins' assertion that team owner Daniel Snyder has a "dark heart." "I would concur that Dan Snyder is a guy that absolutely cares about other people," said Zorn. "He does not have that kind of attitude. I haven't been here all that long. I haven't been here as long as Greg's been here. But I have seen time and time again Dan reach out to anybody in this program and even the secondary parts of this program and help in any way he can when there's need. I've seen it. I would concur with what Greg had to say about Dan really caring about winning." The Redskins changed the injury designation for H.B. Blades from "out" to "did not practice," according to a team spokesman. The change was made because the team believes that Blades, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during the bye week, may be able to practice tomorrow.