According to the Washington Times, Tim Hightower (ACL surgery) is "positioned to be the starter" in the Redskins' backfield this season.

Beat reporter Rich Campbell writes that Hightower will "lead the Redskins' running back committee" if his left knee proves fully fit in camp. Per Campbell, Roy Helu makes more sense in the "third-down/change-of-pace role" after "wearing down physically" late last year. Campbell also hints that Evan Royster would get the nod as Washington's early-down ball carrier if Hightower had a setback.

Tim Hightower (ACL surgery) said he is "anticipating going" when training camp opens next week.

Hightower is roughly nine months removed from his ACL tear. He participated in individual drills during the early-June minicamp and now says he's going to do "everything" until they tell him not to. Coach Mike Shanahan has reportedly said that a healthy Hightower is his starter. The training staff and Shanahan will have to make that determination as camp moves along.

According to Pro Football Focus' data, Tim Hightower leads all running backs in drops (16) and drop rate (14.7 percent) over the past three years.

The fumble-prone Hightower also finished just outside the bottom 10 in PFF's pass blocking efficiency metric for 2011. Even if he stays in the coaching staff's good graces by carrying out his assignments at a high rate, Hightower's job will never be secure with the more talented Roy Helu proving just as trustworthy in the passing game. For what it's worth, Pierre Thomas has PFF's best drop rate (2.5 percent) over the past three years.

According to ESPN.com's Dan Graziano, Tim Hightower (ACL surgery) is the Redskins' starting running back if he's healthy.

Virtually all of the media covering the Redskins believes Hightower is the lead dog, but Graziano has the answer straight from coach Mike Shanahan's mouth. Graziano does concede, however, that Roy Helu and Evan Royster will get early-season opportunities while Hightower rounds into form. A pre-injury Hightower was already losing reps to a more explosive Helu before tearing his ACL in Week 7 last season. We fully expect Helu to lead this backfield in fantasy points regardless of the Week 1 "starter."

ProFootballWeekly.com "hears" the Redskins may favor Tim Hightower as their lead back, and could limit Roy Helu to 10-15 touches per week because of concerns about his durability.

It's no secret both the Redskins coaching staff and Washington media love Hightower, but we'd still put our money on Helu getting more touches and making a bigger fantasy impact. Hightower (ACL surgery) has yet to be cleared for team drills. He'll have to be 100 percent to begin camp atop the depth chart.

Redskins RB Tim Hightower (ACL surgery) has been limited to individual drills in minicamp, but coach Mike Shanahan says he could "take on a heavier workload if the season were about to start."

"I think he's really wanting to practice right now, but he does have five, six weeks," Shanahan said. Hightower had little shot of being ready for the offseason program after tearing his ACL in Week 7, but there's a legit chance he gains full clearance during camp. Regardless of Hightower's level of camp participation, however, Roy Helu is the 'Skins back to own for fantasy purposes.

Tim Hightower (ACL surgery) has not been cleared to practice yet.

As expected. Hightower tore his left ACL in Week 7, so the earliest he'll be ready to go is training camp. His absence from OTAs won't be a factor in his battle for carries with Roy Helu, but we still like the youngster as the more explosive option for the Redskins.

Coach Mike Shanahan confirmed that Tim Hightower (ACL surgery) is expected to be cleared by training camp.

Hightower already knows the offense, so his absence for OTAs isn't problematic. Although beat writers emphasize that Hightower is the most trusted of the Redskins backs, we suspect his primary role will be as a pass-protection specialist. Roy Helu is the fantasy back to own in D.C.

Tim Hightower (ACL surgery) is sitting out Redskins OTAs.

Hightower got in a conditioning workout after Monday's practice, but Roy Helu and Evan Royster are taking the first-team reps at tailback. Hightower already knows the Shanahans' offense, so he won't be behind when training camp starts. Beat writer Chris Russell expects him to be medically cleared "by mid July."

Redskins RB Tim Hightower (ACL surgery) has yet to be fully cleared for football activities.

Hightower would only say that he's been "cleared to keep training and preparing for the season." Hightower is probably less than 50-50 for Washington's mandatory June minicamp, but it's unlikely the Redskins would have re-signed him when they did if they weren't expecting him to be near full health by camp. Hightower should be ready for Week 1.

Mike Jones of the Washington Post lists Tim Hightower as the Redskins' starting tailback.

According to Jones, Redskins coaches value Hightower more than Roy Helu and Evan Royster because he's the most well-rounded back and a strong leader. There's little doubt that a healthy Hightower would see a significant role, but his snaps were already on the decline in favor of Helu early in the 2011 season. Expect to see a committee attack, with Helu handling more of the carries and Hightower doing his damage on third down. Helu is still the player to own in fantasy.

Redskins re-signed RB Tim Hightower.

Hightower, 26, averaged 3.82 yards per carry in five starts early last season before tearing his left ACL in Week 7. Due to persistent swelling in the knee, surgery was delayed until November 8. Now just over six months removed from the knee reconstruction, Hightower will return to compete with Roy Helu, Evan Royster, and rookie Alfred Morris for running back snaps. Helu has the most talent of the group and is the favorite to lead Washington's backfield in 2012 touches. Hightower's ideal role would be on obvious passing downs, where his bone-crushing blitz-pickup ability comes in most handy.

The Washington Post confirms the Redskins "remain in play" to re-sign free agent Tim Hightower following his Friday visit with the Patriots.

Both sides have expressed interest in a new deal, but the Redskins are up against the cap, and Hightower is still rehabbing from a torn ACL. Although Hightower is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery, he'll likely have to wait until closer to training camp for talks, either with Washington or someone else, to heat up.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the Redskins still like free agent Tim Hightower "an awful lot," and would "love" to re-sign him as their starting running back if he's fully recovered from his torn ACL.

Free agent Tim Hightower visited the Patriots Friday.

Coach Mike Shanahan said at the Owners Meetings that the Redskins still hope to re-sign free agent Tim Hightower.

There's no competition, so there's no rush. Hightower, returning from a torn left ACL, will likely sign a minimum deal. "We're trying to re-sign Hightower," Shanahan said. "You're just hoping that he comes back full speed from his knee with the ACL. But, yeah, he's a potential starter on our football team."

The Redskins are interested in re-signing impending free agent Tim Hightower (ACL surgery).

"We'll keep our fingers crossed that he goes through rehab and there's no setbacks and he's good as new," said coach Mike Shanahan. "He's tough, hard-nosed, and he was a good addition to our football team." The Shanahans love Hightower's pass protection, so he could return as a third-down complement to Roy Helu and Evan Royster if the Redskins don't upgrade.

Tim Hightower underwent surgery to repair his torn left ACL last Tuesday, November 8.

Hightower waited just over two weeks to go under the knife, perhaps due to swelling in the knee. His contract expires after the season, leaving his future with the Redskins in doubt. Hightower has proven once again that he's merely a role player in the NFL.

Tim Hightower (injured reserve, knee) has not had surgery yet.

Hightower is waiting for the swelling his left knee to go down before getting his ACL repaired. The impending free agent likely won't be able to even work out for teams until May at the earliest.

The Redskins confirmed Monday that Tim Hightower has a torn left ACL and is done for the season.

Ryan Torain figures to take over as Washington's feature back, with rookie Roy Helu the favorite for all third-down work. The Redskins may promote Evan Royster from the practice squad to be third string. Torain and Helu need to be owned in all fantasy leagues, with both offering potential to receive significant workloads down the stretch. Hightower will require reconstructive knee surgery as he enters 2012 free agency. His long-term NFL future is up in the air.