"Two teammates suffered season-ending injuries. A storm cut short a practice. Heat and humidity turned the other workouts into oppressive sweatfests.

Randy Thomas and Jon Jansen aren't complaining. They're simply glad to be back on the football field again, playing together as the right side of the Washington Redskins' offensive line.

"I love playing with Randy," Jansen said. "We have a great time out there. I love playing next to a guy who loves the game of football. It makes it fun to be out here."

The Redskins counted on Thomas and Jansen to form a strong and enduring combination at right guard and right tackle when they signed Thomas in 2003.

The reality has been a different experience - and a painful one for both the team and players.

Jansen, selected by the Redskins in the second round of the 1999 draft, missed the 2004 season with a torn Achilles tendon. He broke both of his thumbs during the next season, and Thomas missed the final two regular-season games and the two playoff games that season with a broken right leg and ankle.

Jansen finally surrendered to the pain of a calf injury and sat out a game in December 2006.

Peter Lockley / The Washington Times Offensive linemen Jon Jansen (left), Randy Thomas (second to left) are both returning from injuries for the Redskins.

Last season, however, was the worst of all.

Jansen broke a leg and an ankle in the season opener. Thomas tore his left triceps in Week 2, pushed to return to action in December and partially tore the same muscle again.

"It's been a tough road, but you don't see no quit in us," Thomas said. "We fought through our rehab, and we're back setting that right side strong. If I could pay to stay healthy, I would. It's a freaky game. It's just exciting to be next to Jon again." "