Evan Royster will start preseason opener

Redskins HC Mike Shanahan announced that RB Evan Royster will start the team's preseason opener.  Royster has been receiving the bulk of the 1st-team reps in camp so far, and it's time to start taking him seriously as a candidate to lead Washington's backfield in touches.  Royster was impressive in limited action last year, topping 100 yards in each of the final 2 games, while averaging 5.9 yards per carry.  We're still high on RB Roy Helu, but Shanny has reservations about his durability.  RB Tim Hightower remains hobbled by last year's torn ACL and won't play in Thursday's game against the Bills.  We just updated our projections for the 'Skins backfield.