The Facts: Following up on a previous item. ... The Washington Redskins announced today that they have re-signed Tim Hightower.

Diehards Line:Hightower, 25, returns for his fifth NFL season in 2012 and his second with the Redskins after joining the team via trade during the 2011 offseason. Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan spoke glowingly of Hightower's ability to contribute as a runner, a receiver out of the backfield, and the pass protector on offense. "You don't know for sure if a running back is a three-down back," Shanahan said. "Can he handle the blitz, can he run the football and catch the ball? From what I've seen since he's been here, [Hightower] can do all three. ..." As we've noted on multiple occasions this offseason, Hightower is expected start over Roy Helu and Evan Royster -- if he's fully recovered from the ACL he suffered Week 6 last year. We'll be watching for more on that in coming days and weeks.