(Sports Network) - The annual battle for Beltway-area bragging rights will kick off at FedEx Field on Saturday night, when the Washington Redskins play host to the Baltimore Ravens in the second preseason contest for each club.
Both the Redskins and Ravens were winners in their first preseason outings, though concerns surround each as late-August looms.
For Washington, the makeup of the running back depth chart could come into sharper focus on Saturday. Ex-Chief and Bengal Larry Johnson is expected to start against the Ravens, with Clinton Portis spelling him.
Portis had six carries for 22 yards in last Friday's 42-17 rout of the Buffalo Bills, while Johnson did not play in the contest.
Washington is also dealing with a depleted wide receiver corps heading into the Baltimore game, as Mike Furrey (concussions) was ruled out for the year earlier this week and Malcolm Kelly (hamstring/personal matter) is not expected to be in uniform.
That will leave fewer targets for quarterback Donovan McNabb, who should see more reps on Saturday after completing 5-of-8 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown in his first action as a Redskin last week.
Defensively, Albert Haynesworth (illness) could miss the Baltimore game.
Baltimore, meanwhile, is contending with injuries of its own.
The biggest problem is in the secondary, where cornerback Domonique Foxworth (knee) is out for the year, safety Ed Reed (neck) could miss six games or more, and cornerback Lardarius Webb is rehabbing from a knee injury of his own and is unlikely to suit up on Saturday.
On the other side of the ball, the team is depleted at right tackle, where Jared Gaither (back) and Oniel Cousins (head) have both missed practice time this week. Gaither will not play on Saturday and Cousins' status is uncertain.
The Ravens started their preseason with a 17-12 win over the Carolina Panthers last Thursday. Quarterback Joe Flacco completed 8-of-12 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown in the triumph.
The Ravens lead the all-time preseason series with the Redskins, 3-2, breaking a deadlock in the series with a 23-0 victory at M&T Bank Stadium prior to last season.