--Victor Adeyanju continues to get significant reps with the first unit in the base defense at left end. Leonard Little has been practicing mostly with the nickel defense along with right end James Hall and tackle La'Roi Glover. The strategy is to have better run defense on first down, and have Little, Hall and Glover fresher on passing downs. Chris Long will still play significant snaps at right end.
--While tight end Joe Klopfenstein is considered the starter with Randy McMichael out for the season, Anthony Becht also gets reps with the first unit.
PLAYER NOTES
--WR Dane Looker underwent an angiogram Thursday, but the results were not yet available. The test was being done to see if a spot on Looker's brain is an aneurysm.
--WR Eddie Kennison was re-signed after being released Tuesday. Kennison was needed after the Rams learned Dane Looker would be unavailable because of a spot on his brain.
--WR Derek Stanley will be signed to the active roster from the practice this week as the Rams look to get more youth and speed in their receiving corps.
--WR Keenan Burton is almost totally recovered from a knee injury and is expected to be available for the team's Oct. 19 game against Dallas.
--DE Victor Adeyanju will continue to get significant reps with the first unit because of his ability to defend the run.
--CB Jason Craft will start with Tye Hill sidelined by a knee injury.
GAME PLAN: Control the ball on the ground and stop the run. Of course, that's any team's plan, but even more so in this game as the Rams hope to keep the pressure off QB Marc Bulger. The Rams have been a bad team on the road, dating back to last season, so it will be intriguing to see how the team plays in a physical matchup with Jim Haslett coaching his first game.
The Rams will have to show they can pass with the Redskins likely to stack eight in the box to stop RB Steven Jackson.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Redskins RB Clinton Portis vs. Rams run defense -- The Rams held Marshawn Lynch to 57 yards in Week 4, and they need to do more of the same against Portis to have a chance to stay in the game with the Redskins. The revamped defensive line in that game had Victor Adeyanju at end on running downs, with Clifton Ryan at nose tackle and Adam Carriker at the 3-technique.
Rams offensive line vs. Redskins defensive line -- Pretty basic football, but for the Rams to move the ball offensively on the road in a loud venue, the line will have to open holes for RB Steven Jackson and give QB Marc Bulger time to throw. The Rams have yet to score more than 14 points in any game.
INJURY IMPACT: The receiver position is in a state of flux with three players out: Drew Bennett (foot), Keenan Burton (knee) and Dane Looker (undergoing testing for a spot on the brain). In addition, TE Randy McMichael is out for the season because of a broken tibia.
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