Kerrigan’s 139-game streak coming to an end
ASHBURN, Va. — The streak is coming to an end for Washington Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan.
The four-time Pro Bowler has been officially declared out for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers as he continues to deal with a concussion suffered last week against the Lions. He hasn’t practiced since.
The 2011 No. 16 overall pick hasn’t missed a game in his nine seasons, a run of 139 consecutive games. Mike Shanahan was in his first season as the Redskins’ coach the last time the team played a game without Kerrigan. Donovan McNabb played his lone season in Washington in 2010 and Rex Grossman started at quarterback in the season finale. Robert Griffin III was in the process of winning the Heisman Trophy at Baylor during Kerrigan’s rookie season.
“I’ve never been in a meeting without him, I’ve never been in an NFL practice without him,” linebacker Ryan Anderson said. “So, it’s a lot different. It feels so weird. I’ve kind of been sad about that all week. Just like not having him around, he’s a good dude. He’s a guy you look forward to seeing at work every day.”
Kerrigan sits two sacks shy of tying Dexter Manley’s franchise record of 91 with five games remaining on the schedule. The 2019 season has been a slow one as he sits on 4.5 sacks. Kerrigan’s single-season low was 7.5 sacks as a rookie.
The Redskins aren’t planning any significant changes to scheme, but Anderson is expected to start opposite rookie Montez Sweat and both are expected to have increased roles. This will be the first start for Anderson this season and he currently has one sack in 2019. Sweat has started every game and has 3.5 sacks.
The team signed linebacker Nate Orchard this week and he has a chance to be active and involved as a pass rusher.
“He’s a consummate pro,” interim head coach Bill Callahan said. “There is no better example of what a pro should be in the NFL. … It’s an opportunity for everybody to step up. … Everybody needs to up their game and take pride in that and take the challenge of playing like a Ryan Kerrigan.”
The biggest opportunity comes for Anderson. The third-year veteran was in line for the starting job opposite Kerrigan when Preston Smith signed a free-agent deal with the Green Bay Packers. Sweat, however, was drafted with the No. 26 overall pick in April and has started from Day 1.
Anderson, a second-round pick in 2017, will enter the final year of his rookie deal in 2020 and would like to have a strong finish this season.
“It’s a chance for me to step up,” Anderson said. “Not only to produce and play, but sort of lead Sweat and Orchard and the other guys in the room that have to play. Because everybody’s role increases. No matter what happens with me, I’ve got to be there for them. How he’s been there for me and everybody else. It’s a little more responsibility, but I feel like I’m ready for it and looking forward to it.”
The Redskins will also be without receiver Paul Richardson, who continues to deal with a hamstring injury. Rookie Kelvin Harmon has stepped into that spot with Richardson out.
Running back Chris Thompson (toe) and defensive lineman Daron Payne (ankle) are officially questionable as both practiced on a limited basis all week.
Panthers tackle Greg Little (ankle) is listed as doubtful and tackle Taylor Moton (knee) is questionable to play.