Redskins Running Back Hightower Ruled Out for Season

Washington Redskins running back Tim Hightower will miss the rest of the National Football League season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, the team said on Monday.

Hightower, who had been hampered by shoulder problems earlier this year, suffered the injury during the third quarter of Sunday's 33-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

The Redskins will also be without Santana Moss for between five and seven weeks after the receiver broke a bone in his left hand in the first quarter of Sunday's game.

Tim has handled himself extremely well, Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan told the team's website. He played very well in this (Sunday's) game coming back from the shoulder injury.

He was ready to play and he was playing well, so it's always tough to lose a player that leads both on and off the football field.

Hightower rushed for 88 yards on 17 carries against the Panthers before being injured.

Being on the sidelines and not being able to be in there with the guys who are putting it out on the line, it's frustrating, Hightower, 25, said. We're going to come back. I don't think it's time for anyone to get discouraged.

The Redskins, who have lost five offensive starters to injuries over the past fortnight, are 3-3 this season but have lost their last two games.