Left guard Kory Lichtensteiger is hopeful of being able to play in the Washington Redskins’ NFC wild-card game against the Seattle Seahawks despite missing practice with a left ankle injury.
Lichtensteiger, who had played every offensive snap for the Redskins this season until spraining the ankle against the Dallas Cowboys in the regular-season finale, sounded less optimistic Wednesday than he did in the aftermath of that game.
“After the game, I still felt pretty fresh. I was walking OK on it, and I had gone back in for that extra series after getting it taped up,” Lichtensteiger said. “It always feels worse on Monday, and it’s gotten a lot better since then. I’m still hopeful, but who knows.”
Lichtensteiger left FedEx Field in a walking boot Sunday night. He was not wearing it in the locker room, but trainers recommended he wear it outside of Redskins Park this week.
He said after the win over the Cowboys that he expected to be ready for the Seahawks with a week’s worth of treatment. That progress has continued.
“Monday, I was limping around. I was like, ’Oh, crap, this is pretty serious,’’’ Lichtensteiger said. “And then that slowly gets better over time, and hopefully I can keep taking big steps like that day to day.”
Coach Mike Shanahan generally is not forthcoming about injury information beyond what the NFL requires him to provide. It’s possible that Lichtensteiger is called questionable and a game-time decision.
“He’ll say that, but that’s kind of the truth,” said Lichtensteiger, who was relieved this injury isn’t likely to require surgery. “I think it’s going to be one of those, go in on Sunday, get there early to the stadium and try it out and see how it feels.”
Lichtensteiger was named the Redskins’ recipient of the 2012 Ed Block Courage Award after coming back from tearing the ACL, medial collateral ligament and meniscus in his right knee last season.His playing hurt is almost expected, but this being a playoff game raises the likelihood of doing so.
“I’m going to try that much harder,” he said. “But I just don’t know. Hopefully, I can play.”
Cardinals to interview Brown
Redskins director of pro personnel Morocco Brown will interview for the Arizona Cardinals’ general manager vacancy, a source confirmed.
Brown could not be reached for comment. ESPN reported the interview will take place Friday in Washington.
Brown joined the Redskins in 2008 and survived the 2010 regime change to help coach Mike Shanahan’s roster rebuilding project. He is responsible for evaluating talent in professional leagues, overseeing the team’s scouting of upcoming opponents and participating in draft meetings.
Wilson reflects on last playoff
Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson has been on the other side of Sunday’s wild-card matchup. He was a rookie for the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks in 2007-08 when they ended the Redskins’ season the last time Washington made the playoffs.
The Redskins won four straight that year to earn the last wild-card spot, the No. 6 seed, after safety Sean Taylor was murdered that November.
It seemed almost supernatural the way the Redskins responded to that tragedy. But second-string quarterback Todd Collins crashed back to Earth in a 35-14 loss that January afternoon in Seattle.
Having been with the Redskins for two seasons now and rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III for one, Wilson expects a different outcome Sunday.
“We have a little better quarterback than Collins back there now,” he said. “I think we’re going to have a better game than that.”
Extra points
Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins did not practice Wednesday as he’s battling the flu. Cornerback D.J. Johnson (knee) did not practice, and safety DeJon Gomes (knee) was limited. Rookie running back Alfred Morris was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his 200-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Cowboys.
• Rich Campbell can be reached at rcampbell@washingtontimes.com.
• Stephen Whyno can be reached at swhyno@washingtontimes.com.
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