PLAYER NOTES

-- OT Jon Jansen (knee) was listed as doubtful after Friday's practice, meaning Jason Fabini is likely to start.

--LB Marcus Washington (ankle) didn't practice again on Friday and has been ruled out for Sunday. It will be Washington's fourth straight absence and sixth this season.

--CB Shawn Springs (calf) didn't practice again on Thursday and figures to be a game-time decision after sitting out the past two games.

--OT Jon Jansen (knee) took limited work on Thursday after not practicing on Wednesday and is iffy for Sunday.

-- MLB London Fletcher (foot) was listed as questionable after not practicing Friday, but coach Jim Zorn said he expects Fletcher to play.

-- DT Cornelius Griffin (shoulder, abdomen) will be a game-time decision. He did not practice Friday.

--DT Kedric Golston (ankle) took limited work on Thursday after resting on Wednesday. He figures to be a game-time decision after missing the past two games.

-- SS Chris Horton (shoulder) was listed as doubtful after Friday's practice.

--TE Todd Yoder (knee) took limited work on Thursday after resting on Wednesday but is expected to play.

--G Pete Kendall (knees) returned on Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday and is expected to start on Sunday.

--G Randy Thomas (neck) returned on Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday and is expected to start on Sunday.

--CB Carlos Rogers (illness) returned on Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday and is expected to start on Sunday.

GAME PLAN: After four games out of five against the elite defenses of Pittsburgh, Dallas, the New York Giants and Baltimore, it will be a relief to face the Bengals' beleaguered unit. Cincinnati doesn't get to the quarterback or stop the run well. This should be a week to get healthy except that the Redskins lost both of their offensive tackles, Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen, to injuries last week. Running back Clinton Portis hasn't scored since Week 7 while receiver Santana Moss hasn't scored since Week 8. The offense hasn't scored more than 20 points since Week 5. Coach Jim Zorn wants to establish former NFL leading rusher Portis to open up some passing lanes for quarterback Jason Campbell.

With the exception of the loss to the league-leading New York Giants, Washington's defense has played well during the offense's nosedive. Cincinnati boasts big-time receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco, but the Redskins have a big-time secondary and the Bengals are last in yards and points, 29th in rushing and 30th in passing. Coordinator Greg Blache won't lose too much sleep about quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who took over for injured stud Carson Palmer in Week 4. Tackle Cornelius Griffin and safety Chris Horton are hurting, but end Andre Carter and tackle Kedric Golston are healthier while middle linebacker London Fletcher has had 27 tackles since spraining a foot two games ago.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Redskins CBs Carlos Rogers and DeAngelo Hall vs. Bengals WRs T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco -- Rogers was beaten for the winning touchdown last week, but he has had a Pro Bowl-type season covering the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Torry Holt, Braylon Edwards, Plaxico Burress, Terrell Owens, Hines Ward, Calvin Johnson and DeSean Jackson so Houshmandzadeh's 89 catches are nothing new. Hall is pals with Ocho Cinco, who's having a seriously subpar year but remains dangerous.

Redskins OTs Stephon Heyer and Jason Fabini vs. Bengals DEs Antwan Odom and Jonathan Fanene: Odom, who received a big contract from Cincinnati after recording eight sacks for Tennessee last year, has just two this year. Fanene, who became a starter last week, has one sack in 34 career games. Heyer, replacing injured Pro Bowl perennial Chris Samuels, has one career start on the left side but is a better pass blocker than run blocker. The less nimble Fabini spent most of his career on the left side and started most of 2007 at right guard.

INJURY IMPACT: If Jansen, as expected, doesn't play, Jason Fabini will start at RT.

--Stephon Heyer is starting for LT Chris Samuels, who's out for the year.

--If MLB Fletcher can't play, H.B. Blades will shift from SLB to MLB and Alfred Fincher will make his first career start at SLB.

--If DT Golston can't play, Anthony Montgomery will make a third straight start.

--If DTs Golston and Griffin can't play, Lorenzo Alexander will make his first career start.

--If SLB Washington, as expected, can't play, Blades will make a fourth straight start.

--If SS Horton can't play, Mike Green will likely make his first Redskins start.