Outside linebacker Brian Orakpo tore a ligament in the middle finger of his left hand, but he doesn’t believe the injury will pose much of a problem Thursday when the Washington Redskins host the New York Giants.
Orakpo, who met with a hand specialist, will have the finger put in a hard cast for the foreseeable future. He injured the finger in the third quarter of the Redskins’ loss at Philadelphia on Sunday and returned after missing five plays, but spent 20 of the 31 plays after his injury on the left side, as opposed to his usual right.
“I don’t feel as bad this week as I did in the game, so I can still play my normal right side,” Orakpo said. “I went back there, then my pain meds kicked in. I’ll be fine, though. I’ll be fine.”
Coach Jay Gruden said the only change to the injury report from Monday, when the Redskins listed 17 players, was a downgrade for left guard Shawn Lauvao. Though Washington did not practice again on Tuesday, the bruising and swelling in Lauvao’s right knee would have prevented him from participating in a full practice.
“He had some swelling — a little bit more swelling today — so we’ll get a check on him tomorrow, see if it goes down, and we’ll declare him tomorrow afternoon,” Gruden said.
Josh LeRibeus replaced Lauvao late in the second quarter and finished the game, playing 32 snaps. It was LeRibeus’ first extended playing time since he played 21 snaps in the final game of the 2012 regular season against Dallas.
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“I definitely feel in a lot better place than I did last year, when I definitely knew I didn’t have a chance at all, versus coming in, studying, staying on top of everything and knowing that [I’ve] got a chance,” LeRibeus said.
Tight end Jordan Reed, who has been unable to practice after straining his left hamstring in the opener against Houston on Sept. 7, said he will likely miss the game against the Giants.
That night could, however, mark the return of cornerback Tracy Porter, who strained his right hamstring in training camp and has missed each of the Redskins’ three games. That could help Washington replace DeAngelo Hall, who was placed on injured reserve on Monday after tearing his left Achilles’ tendon.
“I’m just trying to stay in shape, trying to keep this hamstring right and hopefully, my number will be called soon,” Porter said.
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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