Fate took a hand in the Washington Redskins wide receiver situation. With Santana Moss gimpy and James Thrash out for Dallas, Brandon Lloyd figured to be more prominent in the offense. Not so fast there, cowboy. Lloyd fractured his clavicle at the end of practice Wednesday.

"We're talking about practice." ~ Allen Iverson

He will miss at least six of the next seven games, virtually ending his season and his time as a Redskin. The lost shot at redemption has to be more painful than the break itself. Keenan McCardell looks to be that guy to fill the hole. The Redskins may finally unleash Reche Caldwell, whose play may reveal why we haven't seen him this season. He can't be any worse than Lloyd [2 receptions, 14 yards]. Look for McCardell to fill the role Keyshawn Johnson might have if the Redskins enticed him away from the broadcast booth over the summer. That's a big, sure-handed possession receiver who is tough over the middle, the clutch receiver who keeps drives alive and gets the team in scoring position. The Skins haven't had a receiver like that since Art Monk. Clutch was never Lloyd's role, not to mention his accomplishment. He was the speed guy who was supposed to be the deep alternative to 'Tana Moss. Instead, he was the offensive counterpart to Adam Archuleta. Lloyd is the last vestige of the excess of '06. Reche Caldwell may be the deep threat or clutch receiver. Football Outsiders, in their Pro Football Prospectus 2007, said Caldwell was particularly effective on third downs [20 percent DVOA], but his yards-per-catch was a pedestrian 12.5 in 2005 and '06. More impressive is that Caldwell consistently caught 60+ percent of the passes thrown to him. It is time the Redskins took a closer look at McCardell and especially Caldwell in game conditions. Joe Gibbs is known for player loyalty. He was giving Brandon Lloyd as much time to make an impact as he gave Taylor Jacobs. Without a grim intervention, that would have been much too long. Age is the issue with McCardell. The highly reliable receiver is 37. He may only have two good games left in him. Caldwell is 28. That's the age you want to see in the line-up. Roster Moves Jason LaCanfora at The Washington Post reports that the team will sign WR Jimmy Farris to the active roster to replace Lloyd. The Redskins will likely place Lloyd on the injured reserve list to make room. The Redskins have made no official announcement. Farris is due at Redskins Park this morning for a physical and to sign a contract. Farris [6-0, 195] was a bubble player who was cut the last weekend of preseason. George Solomon profiled him in his Washington Post column September 4, 2007. The Redskins announced that WR Burl Toler [6-2, 185] will return to the practice squad. The first year player spent time with the Redskins during the 2007 training camp. Toler's grandfather and namesake was the first African-American game official in the NFL. Ryan Clark has spleen removed Former Redskin safety Ryan Clark underwent season-ending surgery to remove his spleen Thursday, according to a story appearing on espn.com. Clark left the team after the 2005 season when the Redskins did not renew his contract. He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.