The Detroit Lions are shorthanded as they head to Washington to take on the Redskins.

Return man Jamal Agnew (ankle), defensive end Trey Flowers (concussion), defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (ankle), offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (concussion), quarterback Matthew Stafford (hip/back) and safety Tracy Walker (knee) have all been ruled out.

Stafford will miss his third start since suffering a back injury in Oakland Week 9. Jeff Driskel is expected to start in place of Stafford. Driskel has performed well in his last two starts, and his athleticism is something opponents are having to account for.

"Driskel is a big, competitive, athletic guy that can make plays with his feet," Redskins interim head coach Bill Callahan said this week. "It was impressive watching him against the Cowboys, and also the Bears, in terms of with what he did running the football. Not only from the read-zone game and the option game that they run, but also just his ability to move and escape the pocket."

With Ragnow ruled out, Driskel will likely be taking snaps from offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, who shifted over from guard to center when Ragnow went out last week vs. Dallas. The Lions have been utilizing a rotation at guard all year with Glasgow, Joe Dahl and Kenny Wiggins, which could pay off this with week with Wiggins likely to start.

"I think that's definitely been unique for us this year to have that rotation at the offensive line that we've used and currently in the situation we're in, hopefully it works to our benefit, because those guys have all worked together in some capacity," Lions head coach Matt Patricia said.

For the full Lions-Redskins injury report with game designations, click here.

LIONS ACTIVATE BRYANT

The Lions did get some good news on the injury front this week, with the return of rookie defensive end Austin Bryant. Bryant returned to practice a couple weeks ago, and was officially activated from Reserve/Injured Wednesday.

"I would say, something I think he's doing a really good job of, especially for as much time he's missed – I thought his pad level is really good," Patricia said of Bryant.

"I think his hand placement is pretty good. He's incredibly long. He's just kind of a different body type out there. You can see where he's starting to get comfortable using his leverage and being a little bit more confident in kind of the injury situation."

Bryant is likely to make his Lions debut Sunday in Washington.

SCOUTING WASHINGTON

Quarterback Dwayne Haskins, running back Derrius Guice and wide receiver Terry McLaurin make up a trio of young players who could form the future core of the Washington Redskins' offense.

"They're all three talented players," Callahan said in a conference-call interview. "They're young. They're developing – growing, learning, understanding the day-to-day nature of the National Football League, how to compete on a consistent level week in and week out."

In addition to youth, the Redskins also have a veteran presence on offense in running back Adrian Peterson. The Lions are familiar with Peterson and what he can do from his time on the division rival Minnesota Vikings.

"I've seen him go through so many different injuries since I've been here," Callahan said of Peterson. "Seemingly one week he has maybe a calf or a thigh or a hip or an elbow. By game day, he gets himself ready mentally to overcome the injuries he has.

"He's rare. He's one of a kind."

For Mike O'Hara's full scouting report on the Redskins, click here.

OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS

• Watch safety Tavon Wilson talk about community, family and his source for overcoming adversity in the latest edition of Under the Helmet.
• Catch up on all the news from Darrell Bevell and Paul Pasqualoni's Tuesday media sessions.
• In this week's episode of Goin' Nuts with T.J., a friendless T.J. Lang visits the Plymouth Historical Museum's new Christmas exhibit.