Even as the rest of his teammates join him in injury daily, the word today from various places is that Carlos Rogers is making big strides towards returning to the field. Before we get to that, I just want to stress how important cornerbacks are for a defense. We've previously gone over the trials and tribulations of the 2006 Washington Redskins defense, but it's worth remembering. Shawn Springs goes down to injury and the entire thing collapses because we don't have the requisite depth in the secondary to survive that particular disaster. A great philosopher put it best:

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left.

(Yea yea, Barney's right we should get some more beer.)

What's true of beer is also true of cornerbacks. I don't want to sound fatalistic, but if Carlos Rogers can't get back on the field, and Shawn Springs plays injured, and something bad happens to Fred Smoot, there's only Leigh Torrence left! I'm extremely confident in the abilities of Smootsmack to take out the opposing 3rd WR (that's our best lineup, maybe, as I might even put Smoot in front of Rogers) but less so when it is Byron Westbrook or even newcomer Justin Tryon.

Speaking of which, briefly, but I don't know if II'm reading the depth chart right, but isn't it putting Leigh Torrence in front of Smoot and Westbrook in front of Tryon? If not, injured Carlos Rogers has somehow supplanted Shawn Springs as the team's go-to cornerback.

And maybe he has from all the great print he's getting from camp. As per usual, I'm tipping a hat to the thousand eyes of Extreme Skins. First up is noted only because the frequently misprinted last name of Carlos Rogers as Rodgers is not just a problem with us amateur types, but with the legit-like news outlets. Here's the article (from a TV station or somewhers), here's the title:

Redskins camps: Carlos Rodgers looks strong

Sure does, he bulked up an extra d on his last name, effing hard core!

Howeva:

The surgery was so extensive that the Redskins weren’t sure if Rogers would be able to do anything during the preseason. He was a likely candidate to begin the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list. That would mean he would be out for at least six games.

Healthy enough for preseason? Naw says Coach Zorn:

"Right now he's just practicing, with very limited reps," Coach Jim Zorn said. There are still no plans for him to play in a preseason game anytime soon, and caution remains the buzz word when it comes to Rogers, who underwent major knee surgery in November.

With our dumb luck this offseason, maybe the best of all possible worlds would be the one where Carlos Rogers miraculously or dishonestly recovers from his injury immediately after the last preseason game.

But Rogers wants a piece of the fake season nonetheless:

"It felt pretty good," Rogers said. "I thought I was going to be tired, but actually I'm in better shape than I thought. My knee isn't bothering me. No swelling."

Earlier this offseason, Rogers had targeted the Redskins' regular season opener on Sept. 4 for his return.

Now he thinks he could be available for one or two preseason games.

Careful what you wish for. The above link also says Rogers participated in 7-on-7s, but I've also got word from Zee Times that says he was in on 11-on-11s:

Cornerback Carlos Rogers was on the field for 11-on-11 practice today for the first time in his recovery from a torn ACL and MCL he suffered Oct. 28 against the Patriots.

Whatever it is he did, it was on the field which means he's that much closer to being on the field when it counts. A repeat of 2006 is unacceptable for any number of reasons, least of which being it would represent a cruel and perhaps unrecoverable indictment of a young coaching staff generally and Greg Blache specifically. I'm pretty blind but believe hindsight tells me that but for a disastrous '06 defensive effort, Gregg Williams survives the last head coach search.

Still on injury from The Times, unrelated to Rodgers Rogers:

Eric Shelton has been dealing with some numbness in his hands and legs. The team is trying to be cautious because it is a neck injury.

Very alarming news for Eric Shelton and he is wished the best from this space.