[Buckskin86]

Sore back couldn't stop Springs
By David Elfin
December 8, 2007

Shawn Springs wasn't supposed to play for the Washington Redskins on Thursday night against the visiting Chicago Bears. The veteran cornerback suffered a contusion sprain of his lower back last Sunday against Buffalo and hadn't been on the field since. And he had intercepted just two passes in his previous 38 games.

Although Springs watched extra tape at the team hotel the night before the Bears game, he was so unlikely to suit up that his shoulder pads weren't even in his locker when he arrived at FedEx Field.

"My back was killing me for the last few days," Springs said. "I couldn't really stand up on Monday. I went to see a back specialist, who gave me some stuff and kind of took care of it. I didn't think I was going to play, but when I jogged before the game, I came back and told [assistant head coach Gregg Williams] that I was ready. "I had to go find my shoulder pads and my equipment. They were in the back."

Not only did Springs play and start, but within the space of 12 seconds in the final minute of the first half, the 32-year-old cornerback picked off two of Brian Griese's throws, returning one 57 yards to set up the only points of the half.

"Shawn Springs came to play ball today," defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin said.

Sore back couldn't stop Springs?-?-?The Washington Times, America's Newspaper