Washington Redskins strong safety LaRon Landry expects to come off the physically-unable-to-perform list this week in order to gauge the status of his ailing left Achilles’ tendon in the preseason game against Baltimore on Aug. 25.
“If I come back for the Ravens game and it’s not responding well, I’ve got two more weeks to grind and get ready for [the regular-season opener] Sept. 11,” Landry said. “But I don’t want to wait until Sept. 11 to go out there full speed, and I don’t know how it’s going to respond. I’m going to give it a shot next week.”
Landry’s inclusion on the PUP list has prohibited him from participating in drills during training camp. He has spent each practice watching his teammates and doing rehabilitation exercises.
“I think he feels a lot more comfortable with his body, so we’d like to be able to get him ready to go against Baltimore and possibly the last [preseason] game against Tampa Bay,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “But, again, we’ll see on a day-to-day basis how he does drills, how he works into football shape.”
Landry said earlier in camp that he did not want to return until he was confident he could stay in the lineup. He acknowledged Monday the balance between the need to test the tendon and not rushing his return.
“I’m confident,” he said. “I don’t have any setbacks in my mind, any negative expectations. I’m going to think positive and keep it pumping. I won’t know how it’s going to react unless I get into live situations.”
The injury dates from last season. Landry was limited to nine games because of microtears in the tendon. It was a significant blow to the defense because he flourished as a strong safety in coordinator Jim Haslett’s 3-4 scheme. He was placed on the injured reserve list Dec. 13.
The Redskins will not have to release a player to make room for Landry on the active roster because they are under the 90-player limit.
Davis goes AWOL
Running back James Davis did not attend both practices Monday, and coach Mike Shanahan said the absence was unexcused. ESPN 980-AM reported that Davis left team headquarters Sunday night after an argument with coaches about playing and practice time. He did not play in Friday’s preseason opener.
“If you see him, let me know because I was wondering where he was at, too,” Shanahan said. “Missing in action.”
Davis did not return a phone call to The Washington Times.
The Redskins signed Davis, a Clemson product, to their practice squad Oct. 27 after the Cleveland Browns released him. He was promoted to the active roster in November and played three games before he blew a blitz pickup against Tampa Bay. He was removed from that game and was inactive for the last three.
Extra points
• Linebacker London Fletcher on Monday was held out of team drills for the first time this camp. Fletcher’s groin is sore, according to Shanahan. “We didn’t think there was any reason to push it,” the coach said. “A game situation you couldn’t keep him out - you know that. He’s getting treatment on it and it should be no problem.”
• Cornerback Josh Wilson spent much of practice getting the upper part of his left leg worked on, sported a big bandage on it later and missed extended parts of practice. The cornerback brushed it off, though Shanahan acknowledged Wilson was experiencing some groin or hamstring tightness.
• Running back Ryan Torain will see a specialist about his broken left hand Tuesday. Shanahan initially said the visit would be Monday.
• Receiver Malcolm Kelly will have another MRI and X-ray on his ailing right foot. He has not practiced since Aug. 4.
• Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.
• Rich Campbell can be reached at rcampbell@washingtontimes.com.
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