The Washington Redskins placed center Kory Lichtensteiger on injured reserve with a designation to return on Tuesday and signed free agent Brian de la Puente.
Lichtensteiger has been dealing with a disc-related issue that has caused weakness in his neck and left shoulder and has forced him to miss the last three games.
He sustained the injury on Oct. 11 in a 25-19 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but played the entire game despite being unable to lift his left arm.
Unless the Redskins make the playoffs, Lichtensteiger’s season is over. By rule, he cannot practice for six weeks and must miss eight weeks. That would bring the Redskins to the final week of the season.
Josh LeRibeus played center while Lichtensteiger was out. LeRibeus converted from guard to center in training camp.
De la Puente played with the Chicago Bears in 2014 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury on Nov. 26. Prior to that, the 30-year-old center played with the New Orleans Saints from 2010 through 2013, starting 44 of 48 games. The Redskins host the Saints on Sunday at FedEx Field.
This is the second major injury for the Redskins’ offensive line this season. Left guard Shawn Lauvao was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a lateral left ankle sprain in Week 3.
• Anthony Gulizia can be reached at agulizia@washingtontimes.com.
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