Tim Hightower

The ultra-secretive Mike Shanahan won't reveal it, but the question is worth asking anyway: Who will start at running back for the Redskins next Sunday vs. Philadelphia?

Following Ryan Torain’s 135-yard performance vs. St. Louis in Week 4, there was speculation from media and fans that Torain would assume the starting job ahead of Tim Hightower.

Could happen, but for now Tim Hightower remains atop the depth chart at the position.

Shanahan likes that there’s competition brewing, though.

“I’m going to keep on stressing this and I'm going to go back to it a lot as long as I'm here – you want competition at every position,” he said. “And so, if somebody goes down, you feel like somebody else can step up and get the job done. Or, if someone is hurting a little bit or not having a great day for whatever reason it may be, you can put somebody in there and you've got a chance to have a spark or a guy gets a chance to play well.

Hightower claims his shoulder is fine and expects to play against the Eagles this week. Whoever starts, or gets a majority of the work, expect them to have a big day. The Birds have been gashed by the run in all five games they've played this season.