Redskins rule out WR Crowder

The Washington Redskins will again be without wide receiver Jamison Crowder for Sunday's game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There was hope that Crowder could return to the lineup after he was able to practice this week, but the Redskins announced on Saturday that he was ruled out due to an ankle injury. It will be the fifth consecutive game missed by Crowder, who has been sidelined since posting four receptions for 55 yards in a 43-19 loss at New Orleans on Oct. 8. Washington learned earlier this week that fellow wide receiver Paul Richardson will undergo season-ending surgery on his shoulder. Crowder has been limited to 13 catches for 134 yards and a score in four games this season. He was expected to be an integral part of the passing game after catching at least 59 passes in each of his first three seasons with the Redskins. A fourth-round draft pick out of Duke in 2015, Crowder established career highs with 67 receptions for 847 yards and seven touchdowns in his second season. Crowder's absence will make Josh Doctson, Maurice Harris and Michael Floyd the top three receiving options for quarterback Alex Smith on Sunday. Washington could be without as many as four starters on the offensive line against Tampa Bay. In addition, pass-catching running back Chris Thompson also has been ruled out with a rib injury.