Tim Hightower

Washington Redskins running back Ryan Torain doesn’t expect to be on the field when his teammates return to practice Sunday, and still doesn’t know how much longer his broken left hand will keep him sidelined.

"I’m not really sure," Torain said Friday night after watching the Redskins’ 16-7 preseason victory over Pittsburgh. "But I’m taking it day by day."

Torain, who was originally scheduled to miss seven to 10 days after having four screws placed in the top of his left hand, was still wearing a bandage on the hand in the locker room after the game.

Torain’s status for next Friday’s game against Indianapolis is also unclear.

Despite missing four games midway through the 2010 season with a hamstring injury, Torain finished last year with a team-high 742 yards on 164 carries in 10 games – his most productive season to date. The third-year running back was expected to start this season before the Redskins signed Tim Hightower during training camp.

Hightower started at running back during Friday’s preseason game, rushing for 44 yards on 10 carries in three possessions. He is the favorite, right now, to take the starting job for the regular season.

Torain is the prototype of a talented player who just can't stay healthy. Knowing Mike Shanahan, he'll probably have a decent role at some point in 2011, but Torain is going to be a player who will perform below his draft position.