Jason Babin didn’t wind up with the Washington Redskins, awarded to the Jacksonville Jaguars off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday, but coach Mike Shanahan liked him enough to try to nab him.
“We thought enough about him to put a claim on,” Shanahan said. “He’s an excellent pass-rusher; everybody knows what he’s done. We know a number of guys that know him quite well. Obviously, we put a claim on, but we didn’t get him.”
After recording 18 sacks in 2011, Babin had just 51/2 in 11 games this season before being released. He’s expected to fit in as a defensive end in the Jaguars’ 4-3 defense.
But the major unknown if the Redskins claimed Babin was whether he could contribute as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He played that with the Seattle Seahawks, but it didn’t work out.
The Redskins could use more help with their pass rush, especially after losing Brian Orakpo early in the season with a torn left pectoral muscle. Ryan Kerrigan essentially has been on his own rushing from the outside, with ends Stephen Bowen and Jarvis Jenkins more dependable at stopping the run.
Babin went from the 3-8 Eagles to the 2-9 Jaguars. Asked by Jacksonville reporters if he would’ve rather been claimed by a contender, he said: “I didn’t think about it because I didn’t have control of it. There’s no reason to worry about things you can’t control.”
The Buffalo Bills also put in a claim for Babin.
Fletcher, Williams don’t practice
Inside linebacker London Fletcher and left tackle Trent Williams did not practice Wednesday and Thursday, and it’s uncertain if either will be able to play Monday night against the New York Giants.
“You never know. All you can do is worry about something you control. They’re getting a lot of treatment every day,” Shanahan said. “They both want to play. They’re both doing everything they can to play. We’ll just take it day by day and see the progress that they make.”
Fletcher, who is tied for the active NFL record streak of games played with 235, suffered a setback with his left ankle injury against the Dallas Cowboys and has not practiced since.
Williams suffered a deep left thigh bruise in a collision with left guard Kory Lichtensteiger at Dallas. He’s confident that he’ll be able to go Monday.
Kehl could step in now
Bryan Kehl was disappointed when the Redskins cut him just before the start of the regular season, but the 28-year-old linebacker was thrilled to be back. Washington claimed Kehl off waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs this week, and he is expected to be active against the Giants.
“That was one of the biggest reliefs is not having to learn another defense. It’s all fresh,” Kehl said. “Plus having been here in the offseason and the OTAs and all that stuff, being out there today it was just clicking. It’s like riding a bike. It just comes right back to you.”
Kehl should fill in after the Redskins lost inside linebacker Keenan Robinson for the season and would be a backup plan if Fletcher cannot play. He also might see time on the outside following the release of Mario Addison.
“Obviously, he knows the defense,” defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said. “With London being nicked up and we’re kind of hurting there with Keenan, it’s another guy that can go in and you don’t have to worry about. He’ll do everything right.”
Extra points
• Robert Griffin III was named NFC Offensive Rookie of the Month for November, adding that to the award he won in September.
• Griffin has the No. 1 selling jersey on NFLShop.com, according to the NFL.
• Stephen Whyno can be reached at swhyno@washingtontimes.com.
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