The Lions will be without their best pass rusher against the Redskins again today, as second-year defensive end Cliff Avril is listed on the inactive list.

Avril led all rookies last year with four forced fumbles, adding five sacks, and had five tackles and a sack in last year's game against Washington, but the second-year defensive end will miss the second consecutive game with a hamstring injury. He will again be replaced in the starting lineup at left end by Jason Hunter, who acquitted himself well in his first career start against the Vikings last week.

Three other starters will also be out of the starting lineup against the Redskins. Left guard Daniel Loper will be replaced in the starting lineup by Manny Ramirez, rookie DeAndre Levy will get his first career start at weak-side linebacker in place of Ernie Sims (shoulder), and Will James will start in place of Phillip Buchanon (neck) at cornerback.

Buchanon, however, did dress for the game.

Other inactives include third quarterback Drew Stanton, reserve corners Marcus McCauley and Eric King, defensive end Turk McBride and offensive tackle Ephraim Salaam.

The Redskins' list of inactives does not include Clinton Portis, so likely he'll play, despite bone spurs in both ankles that kept him out of practice late in the week.