The Redskins didn't play last week, but they still managed to start this week with injury news.

Pro Bowl tight end Chris Cooley wasn't the only Redskin to have surgery last week. Special teamers H.B. Blades and Byron Westbrook had their knees scoped on Oct. 27, a day after each tore his meniscus during the 27-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

While Cooley will miss at least three games after Oct. 28 surgery that repaired his fractured right ankle, Blades and Westbrook could return as soon as Nov. 15 against the Broncos since players typically need two to four weeks to recover from such operations.

Linebacker Robert Henson and cornerback Kevin Barnes could make their debuts Sunday in place of Blades and Westbrook, a possibility that the rookies discussed in the shower after Monday's practice. Henson was a sixth-round draft pick from TCU, while Barnes was a third-round selection from Maryland.

"I appreciate the coaches having enough faith to consider activating me," said Henson, who took more reps on both defense and special teams Monday than he had during any previous practice. "I would relish the opportunity. I'm further along than I was in August. I'm a smarter player. Sitting on the sidelines gave me a new perspective on the game. Just listening to the (defensive) calls gave me mental reps."

Barnes said he matured while dealing with being inactive for every game.

"I've been patient, working hard," Barnes said. "But it's been hard not to play a game for two months. I've used that to motivate me. I'm a lot more hungry. I took (football) for granted. College and high school, I could just come out and just play. Here you can have talent, but you have to have the hard work behind it."

Coach Jim Zorn, who neglected to mention the impending surgeries for Blades and Westbrook during his press conference that took place just hours beforehand, said Monday that while Stephon Heyer was "gimping a little bit" during practice, he expects the left tackle to start Sunday at Atlanta. However, Zorn was less sure than he was on Oct. 27 that Levi Jones, signed on Oct. 20, wouldn't fill in for Heyer against the Falcons.

Heyer, sporting a big brace, limped off the field. In the locker room, he said he felt all right before begging off a full interview.

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