Brandon

Banks

Banks will be the sixth wideout and the primary returner. Last year, he ranked 20th in the league in kickoff return average and 21st in punt return average.

Banks responded by adding ten pounds in the offseason, although it may not save him. Pint sized at 5-foot-7 and no heavier than 165, Banks is facing long odds to crack a wide receiver corps that was injected with upgrades this spring.

Robinson still has practice-squad eligibility, while Armstrong has been slowed by a shoulder injury. Banks has made only one catch in three preseason games after coach Mike Shanahan said he couldn’t rely on his return ability alone to hold his roster spot, but Banks offered up a timely reminder of his game-breaking ability by taking a kick 91 yards to the house against Chicago.

After losing 15 pounds and being demoted to slot duties, Moss requested an opportunity to help out as a punt returner. He handled two punts in Saturday’s preseason game against the Colts, returning them for 24 yards. Said Moss, “If Banks ever stubs his toe, you can count on me.”

Banks was targeted a team-high nine times, but made just two catches for 10 yards. Coach Mike Shanahan has said Banks will not make the team as a return specialist alone. The 5-foot-7, 165-pound wideout’s chances of holding his roster spot appear slim.

However, beat writer John Keim allows “now (Banks) must prove it in the games.” Banks has legitimate playmaking ability, but is simply too small at 5-foot-7, 165 pounds to regularly contribute at wideout. He’ll need a big preseason on special teams to hold his roster spot.

Banks missed most of camp due to complications with the same knee he had surgically repaired in November. The Redskins kept him on the roster due to his elite return skills. Banks ranked ninth in the league in punt return average and 12th in kick return average last season.

At least on offense, the Redskins are as healthy as they’ve been all season. That’s good news as they attempt to earn their first playoff berth since 2007-08. With the Bears’ win this afternoon, the Redskins can no longer get into the postseason tournament without a victory, so tonight is truly win or go home.

LT Trent Williams (thigh), ILB London Fletcher (ankle), and CB DeAngelo Hall (ankle) are all active, as expected. Banks is a surprrise inactive because he’s been part of the Redskins’ pistol package as a sidecar to Robert Griffin III. On the other hand, he hasn’t done much with the opportunity.

Banks is a healthy scratch again, leaving Niles Paul to return kicks and Richard Crawford to return punts. Of course, the Redskins have already declared that Robert Griffin III (knee) is inactive, leaving Kirk Cousins to start and Rex Grossman to back him up. The rest of their scratches: WR Dezmon Briscoe, LB Roddrick Muckelroy, OL Josh LeRibeus, T Tom Compton and G Adam Gettis.