Even with London Fletcher and Perry Riley expected to start at middle linebacker for the Washington Redskins, the signing of veteran Jonathan Goff was supposed to add some depth and experience.
To do so, Goff already has to bounce back from a torn ACL suffered last September. In what could be bad news for him and the Redskins, he injured that same right knee in practice Saturday.
Goff left practice early, spending most of the time in the training tent before eventually heading inside with the team’s medical staff.
“We don’t know anything yet,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “We’ll get an MRI sometime this evening and know something then.”
Goff was able to walk off the field, which could be a good sign.
“It was good. He was feeling pretty good, but you’ve got to have an MRI to make sure,” Shanahan said.
The 26-year-old started all 16 games for the New York Giants in 2010, putting up 80 tackles along the way. He didn’t get into a game last season after the knee injury.
Lichtensteiger gets afternoon off
By all accounts, offensive lineman Kory Lichtensteiger is fairing well early in training camp, bouncing back from major knee surgery nine months ago. Recovered after tearing his ACL, medial collateral ligament and meniscus in his right knee, he’s able to go full-speed.
But he was held out of Saturday afternoon’s practice (and the end of the morning walk-through) as a precaution.
“We just were going to give him the third day off not to try to overwork him,” Shanahan said. “He’s had a couple good days.”
With Lichtensteiger getting that rest, third-round pick Josh LeRibeus took over at left guard and impressed at first glance.
“I think he did a very good job for the first day,” Shanahan said. “Having him play center and guard right away is pretty tough for anybody coming in, but he’s extremely bright and I thought he did a good job.”
Hankerson not 100 percent yet
Hankerson, a third-round pick of the Redskins in 2011, had hip surgery this offseason and was back on the field after being cleared last Friday. But that doesn’t mean he’s full-go.
He said he’s “not quite yet” at full health and is working his way there in the training room.
“Still preparing myself, still getting better each day and every day and I have to continue to work,” Hankerson said. “It’s nothing major. It is just not normal. Anytime you come off injury, you tend to have low confidence in what you have. I just have to continue to keep working on building my confidence and just keep going.”
Hankerson had just 13 catches as a rookie and none for touchdowns.
• Stephen Whyno can be reached at swhyno@washingtontimes.com.
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