Tough Practice for Redskins

Hankerson, above, was carted off the field during practice. (Photo: wordpress.com)

Yesterday marked possibly the worst day for the Redskins so far this preseason. They had a couple of players go down during practice and one was even lost for the season. They also got some interesting news about a key running back.

While the temperature didn't quite make it over 100 degrees yesterday, wide receiver Leonard Hankerson gave people quite a scare when he had to be carted off the field for what was believed to be heat related issues. He was taken inside the team facilities in the middle of practice on a cart and never returned.

Most likely, it was heat related. While he may not have been very hot for the fans, keep in mind these guys are wearing full pads and, especially for the receivers, are doing a lot of running. Hankerson will be just fine.

Following the scare, the Redskins defense got some devastating news: defensive tackle Chris Neild has been lost for the season after tearing his ACL two days ago.

Follow Monday's practice, Chris Neild was sent for an MRI on his knee which revealed a torn ACL. Neild will be out for the entire season.

The Redskins 2011 seventh round draft pick is entering his second season in the NFL and was expected to have an impact much like last season. Neild played in all 16 games last season and racked up 10 tackles including two sacks. In the Redskins first preseason game, he had two tackles and one sack.

Neild was in a rotation with Chris Baker and Barry Cofield at the nose tackle position. Fortunately, the Redskins don't need to panic over the loss of Neild. They have plenty of depth at the defensive tackle position.

Tuesday started off however, with a shocking revelation from running back Roy Helu Jr. He told reporters yesterday that his current ailing Achilles tendinitis is worse than what it was last year.

For Alfred Morris, that's music to his ears. With Helu missing time in practice and probably Saturday's game, Morris now has an opportunity to step up and really gain some ground on Helu. Hopefully this doesn't keep him sidelined for long because Helu has a lot of talent and you'd hate to see that go to waste due to an injury.

For the Redskins, yesterday sure did bring a lot of drama. There were a few good things that happened yesterday...

Guard Kory Lichtensteiger did some drills yesterday to begin rehabbing his knee. He had surgery on it not too long ago. Tackle Trent Williams was able to pad up and even participated in a few 11-on-11 plays. Williams is expecting to play on Saturday and Lichtensteiger is eyeing a week one return.

It's been a rough training camp for the Redskins highlighted by yesterday. Look at the bright side, it can only get better...right?


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