Injuries once again defined Redskins' training. Second-year NT Chris Neild tore his left ACL and will miss the season.

Neild injured his knee in practice Monday, but did not realize the extent of the injury until an MRI Monday night.

Neild backed up Barry Cofield in 2011, but he was no lock to make the roster this season.

Chris Baker’s emergence as a potential backup at both end and nose tackle left Neild on the bubble, unless the Redskins opted for seven defensive linemen.

Meanwhile, coach Mike Shanahan said RB Tim Hightower might be able to play in the preseason.

Hightower has practiced this summer, but has been limited when it comes to full-team work as he recovers from ACL surgery in November.

“I’ve seen some big strides out of him over the last two to three days,” Shanahan said. “His quickness has vastly improved from three weeks ago and now we have to put him in team situations and see how he reacts. There’s a big difference from when he first started.”

John Keim covers the Redskins for the Washington Examiner. Follow him on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLWAS.