GLENDALE, Ariz. — Tight end Jordan Reed is active and will make his return for the Washington Redskins on Sunday, but inside linebacker Perry Riley will not be able to play against the Arizona Cardinals because of injury.
Reed, who injured the muscle in the Redskins’ season-opening loss at Houston on Sept. 7 and missed the last four games, should provide a boost to the Redskins’ passing game. Though it’s uncertain yet as to how much Reed will play, his size advantage and his strengths in man coverage can create mismatches that have been sorely missing in recent weeks.
Riley sprained the MCL in his left knee in the fourth quarter of the Redskins’ loss to Seattle, could not practice all week and was considered questionable on the injury report. The game will be the first Riley has missed since taking over as the starting jack linebacker midway through the 2011.
Will Compton, who replaced Riley for nine snaps against the Seahawks, will do the same on Sunday, marking his first career start.
Wide receiver Santana Moss, who has been a healthy scratch for the first five games, will replace Aldrick Robinson on the active roster. Robinson has played a combined 11 offensive snaps over the last three games.
Outside linebacker Brian Orakpo (sprained right ankle) and left tackle Trent Williams (dislocated right kneecap) were also listed as questionable on the injury report, but are active and will play. So, too, will free safety Ryan Clark, who sprained both of his ankles against Seattle and did not practice all week.
The team previously ruled out quarterback Robert Griffin III (dislocated left ankle) and cornerback Tracy Porter (strained right hamstring).
Also inactive for the Redskins on Sunday are right tackle Morgan Moses, right guard Spencer Long and outside linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat. Cornerback Greg Ducre, signed off San Diego’s practice squad on Tuesday, is active and will play in his first game, holding a role on special teams.
Quarterback Carson Palmer is active and is expected to start for the Cardinals, marking the first time he’ll be in uniform since pinching a nerve in his right shoulder in a season-opening victory over San Diego. Palmer had been replaced over the last three games by Drew Stanton, who is also active after passing concussion testing on Saturday.
Inactive for the Cardinals are running back Marion Grice, inside linebacker Desmond Bishop, nose tackle Bruce Gaston and outside linebacker Thomas Keiser. Defensive end Calais Campbell, inside linebacker Glenn Carson and tight end Troy Niklas were previously ruled out because of injury.
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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