As he grabbed his right shoulder and walked off the field Sunday afternoon, Brian Orakpo might not have known that his season, and possibly his career in Washington, had come to an end.
That reality became clear Monday morning, when Orakpo underwent an MRI and learned that he had partially torn his right pectoral muscle. Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Orakpo will have surgery to repair the muscle and miss the remainder of the season.
“It’s a major blow,” Gruden said.
In the short-term, Orakpo’s injury means the Redskins will be without another of their defensive stalwarts. DeAngelo Hall ruptured his Achilles’ tendon in Week 3 and is out for the year, and Barry Cofield hasn’t played since the season-opener because of a high ankle sprain. Several other starters, from cornerback David Amerson to linebacker Perry Riley, have also missed time.
The long-term effects of Orakpo’s injury, however, are more stark. After not receiving the long-term deal he coveted in the offseason, the 28-year-old was retained with the franchise tag and paid $11.45 million this season. He was essentially asked to prove himself worthy of a long-term deal, and he responded by recording only 27 tackles and half a sack over seven injury-plagued games.
Gruden said Orakpo’s production, and his future in Washington, will be evaluated at the end of the season.
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“Obviously we like Brian and he’s done some great things for this franchise,” Gruden said. “That is something that will have to be addressed when the season is over and moving forward. [General manager] Bruce Allen and myself and the personnel department and the coaches all talk about that.”
Orakpo has now played parts of six seasons with the Redskins since being drafted with the 13th overall pick in 2009. He has made the Pro Bowl three times, including last season, but also suffered season-ending pectoral injuries twice. He has twice torn his left pectoral, most recently in 2012.
This season, Orakpo dealt with myriad injuries, including a torn ligament in one of his fingers, in what was ultimately an underwhelming season. Though Gruden and teammates praised Orakpo for his effort and ability to stop the run, the expected numbers weren’t there.
“Redskin Nation I’m truly sorry for this injury plagued season I went thru,” Orakpo tweeted Monday afternoon. “Thank u all for the love and also the criticism that will only make me stronger when I return. Thanks for all the support and lets smash them Cowboys Monday Night! #HTTR”
Gruden said last week that Orakpo was disappointed with his lack of statistical production, especially in a contract year. But seated at his locker a few days before Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans, Orakpo insisted the stats didn’t matter.
“I’m not really concerned with numbers or anything,” he said then. “For me personally, I could care less. I could get zero sacks Sunday but if we win the game, I’m going to be the happiest man in that locker room. That’s just how I feel at this point.”
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The Redskins selected Trent Murphy in the second round of April’s draft to push, and perhaps eventually succeed, Orakpo at the second outside linebacker spot opposite Ryan Kerrigan. Now, Murphy will be thrust into the starting role and remain there for the foreseeable future. He has recorded 15 tackles so far in his rookie season.
Gruden said Kerrigan and Murphy will move around from play to play, with neither player taking a specific side of the field or role.
“Trent has got to move up,” Gruden said. “He’s got to step up his game. He has got to play better. He has got to play more physical at the point of attack. … He’s going to have to grow up very fast.”
As Murphy works to potentially seize Orakpo’s job, the veteran will only be able to watch. He recorded only one tackle and one quarterback hit in three quarters of play Sunday, a bitter coda to a bitter season — and, most likely, a mixed six seasons in Washington.
“He’s been a class act since I got here,” Gruden said. “It’s just very unfortunate. I know he’s frustrated with his sack numbers, statistically. He’s been a big piece of our defense. We’re in the top 10 on defense, and he’s a major part of the reason why.”
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
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