Redskins running back Ryan Torain was scheduled to visit a hand specialist Wednesday evening after injuring his left hand during the morning practice. Coaches are confident, however, that Torain wouldn’t miss more than a couple of weeks if his hand is fractured.
Although the Redskins don’t believe Torain’s availability for the regular season is in jeopardy, the sight of him sitting out Wednesday afternoon’s walk-through with his hand heavily wrapped couldn’t have been comforting.
Torain declined comment through a team spokesman after the walk-through.
It was unclear exactly how he was injured during the morning practice.
“He just hit his hand,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “It might just be sprained.”
Torain began training camp last week as the first-string running back, and his ability to stay healthy will go a long way toward securing the top spot. He has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. He missed four games because of a hamstring strain in 2010.
Torain averaged 4.5 yards per carry in 10 games last season and finished with 742 yards and four touchdowns. Washington traded for Arizona running back Tim Hightower on Sunday, and he is Torain’s top competition for the starting job.
The Redskins open the season Sept. 11 against the New York Giants.
Rogers lands in San Francisco
Cornerback Carlos Rogers agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday. CSN Bay Area reported that they settled on a one-year deal expected to be worth about $4 million.
Rogers was hoping to get much more on the free agent market.
It’s no secret that the Redskins and Rogers were mutually interested in parting ways. The ninth overall draft pick in 2005 may always be remembered in Washington for dropping interceptions, but that overshadowed his above-average cover skills and physical style.
Rogers had two interceptions and 60 tackles in 12 games last season. He has eight interceptions during his six NFL seasons.
The Redskins signed free agent Josh Wilson last week to replace him.
New digits for Beck
Quarterback John Beck changed his jersey number from 3 to 12. Receiver Malcolm Kelly was glad to give up 12 and switch to 14, Beck said, because Kelly’s three seasons wearing 12 haven’t been prosperous.
Beck has worn No. 12 since a youth coach who liked Terry Bradshaw assigned him the number. He always wanted to wear No. 14 as a kid because he adored Ty Detmer, but No. 12 stuck with him through high school and college. He couldn’t wear it with Miami after the Dolphins drafted him because it’s Bob Griese’s retired number. He wore it for the Baltimore Ravens in 2009.
Extra points
• Return specialist Brandon Banks sat out Wednesday because his surgically-repaired left knee was sore when he woke up. “It’s more preventative than anything,” Shanahan said.
• Free agent defensive lineman Kedric Golston re-signed with the Redskins on Wednesday afternoon. Terms were not immediately known. Golston, a five-year veteran, started all 13 games he played in last season but is expected to be a reserve this year.
• The Redskins re-signed free agent safety Reed Doughty to a three-year contract.
• Rich Campbell can be reached at rcampbell@washingtontimes.com.
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