Brunell Misses Practice Because of Injury

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) - Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell missed most of practice Thursday with a sore groin, although the injury isn't expected to keep him out of Saturday's preseason game against New England.

Brunell says he was injured Tuesday. He practiced Wednesday and suited up again for Thursday's session, taking part in some individual drills before calling it a day.

Brunell, 35, missed one practice earlier in training camp with a bruised calf and was sidelined several weeks during the offseason with a broken finger on his throwing hand. He was on the verge of keeping this injury a secret until coach Joe Gibbs revealed it after practice.

Also expected to play in the exhibition game will be new running back T.J. Duckett.

Duckett practiced for the first time as a Redskin Thursday on a field away form the other players. Running backs coach Ernest Byner used a football and three upside-down plastic trash cans to show him where to run.

Some Redskins incumbent running backs who may have felt threatened by the team's newest acquisition may be ready to accept him as a teammate.

Fullback Rock Cartwright apologized for calling the trade "a slap in the face," and teammate Mike Sellers offered a moment of levity by yelling "Fresh meat!" as he walked past Duckett after practice.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)