- The Washington Times - Friday, November 4, 2011

Left tackle Trent Williams will to have to play through pain whenever he returns from his high right ankle sprain.

The offensive line has badly missed his presence since his right leg was rolled up on early in the loss to Philadelphia on Oct. 16. He sat out the last two games, losses by a total of 36 points.

High-ankle sprains require up to eight weeks to heal, but Williams doesn’t have the luxury of waiting until he his completely pain-free.

“I came to terms with that,” Williams said after Friday’s practice. “It’s all up to coach how much [pain] he wants me to play through.”

Williams was limited in all three practices this week and experienced minor setbacks on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Everyday it’s something,” he said. “You feel every little dent in the ground with a bad ankle. I tweaked it but I kept practicing.”

Williams is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. He will test his ankle during warm-ups. Sean Locklear has replaced him in the starting lineup the last two games.

“I feel like if I had to go that I could go out there and be effective, but I don’t know how good a 75-percent me is over a 100-percent Sean,” Williams said. “I don’t want to be selfish. I want to play, but I don’t want to hurt the team, also.”

Golston thrives in backup role

Defensive end Kedric Golston was one of the few bright spots in the Redskins’ shutout against Buffalo last Sunday. He had a sack and was in on four tackles.

“I thought it was one of his better games,” defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said. “I thought he rushed the quarterback well and did a good job in the running game.”

Golston lost his starting spot in the offseason when the Redskins signed free-agent Stephen Bowen, but Golston has been an effective reserve after the Redskins re-signed him for that role.

He is anchoring better at the line of scrimmage, which significantly helps the linebackers stay free of blockers in run support.

“I think the major difference is being ready when you’re called upon,” said Golston, who’s in his sixth season with the Redskins. “It’s kind of easy when you’re starting and you know you’re going to be in x-number of plays to kind of get in the groove. As a guy that’s coming in and out, you need to make the most of your opportunities.

Extra points

• Rookie Maurice Hurt is an option if Mike Shanahan wants to shuffle the patchwork offensive line after it surrendered 10 sacks to Buffalo. Shanahan could plug Hurt into the left guard spot and shift Will Montgomery back to center, where he played exceptionally well through four games.

“He’s a guy that’s very sharp,” Shanahan said of Hurt. “He’s adjusted very quickly. He works extremely hard, but there are so many things involved — the pass protection, the running game. I’m really impressed with how he’s handled himself.”

Hurt would not say Friday whether he will play against San Francisco.

“I know they want to me to keep improving on not only the mental part of the game, but the physical part, as well,” he said. …

• Free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe (knee) did not practice all week, but the Redskins listed him as questionable for Sunday’s game.

• Tight end Fred Davis and Phillip Buchanon (knee/neck) were limited in practice and are listed as questionable.

• Rich Campbell can be reached at rcampbell@washingtontimes.com.

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