ASHBURN — Josh LeRibeus prepares each week as if he is going to start. He knows it is usually unlikely, but the backup center assumes something minor will pop up and he will play anyways, just to keep himself sharp in case he needs to step up on short notice.
“Every week, I assume somebody has a stomach ache before the game so that’s how it goes,” LeRibeus said on Thursday at Redskins Park.
“This last game, I know [right guard] Brandon [Scherff] had to come out one play because of his shoe coming off and I sprint out there for my one play, then sprint back off.”
Unfortunately for the Washington Redskins, the problems facing the offensive line are far more serious than a stomach bug or an equipment malfunction.
The Redskins (2-3) will play the New York Jets (3-1) on Sunday without starting center Kory Lichtensteiger and left tackle Trent Williams, meaning LeRibeus and backup Ty Nsekhe will be called upon to protect against the best-ranked defense.
Lichtensteiger, who has a broken thumb and a pinched nerve in his left shoulder, may be out until after the bye in Week 8. Williams, who is in the concussion protocol, could be back next week.
“It’s a great opportunity for Ty to play some left tackle,” coach Jay Gruden said. “It’s a great opportunity for Josh LeRibeus to play center. We have confidence that they’ll get the job done. That’s the way we’re going to go about our business. Nothing is going to change. Business as usual. We have a job to do and we’ve got to do it with the able bodies that we have playing.”
On Sunday, the Redskins’ expected starting offensive line will be Nsekhe, left guard Spencer Long, LeRibeus, right guard Brandon Scherff and right tackle Morgan Moses.
Nsekhe will be making his first career start. Long made his first start in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles as the replacement for Shawn Lauvao, who was put on injured reserve. LeRibeus started one game last season at left guard and will be making his debut at center.
“I mean, it just hits you all at once,” LeRibeus said. “Definitely Saturday night [the nerves] will kick in, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m the backup anyways so if anything went wrong, I needed to know the calls regardless but it definitely forced me to hone in, probably watch a little extra film this week.”
LeRibeus, a backup guard his first three seasons with the Redskins, converted to center after the team released right guard Chris Chester, the backup center.
“I think he’s a more mature player,” offensive coordinator Sean McVay said of LeRibeus’ development. “Anytime you’re able get more experience, you gain that confidence. I think he does feel comfortable communicating the calls and different things that need to go on at the line of scrimmage with what he’s responsible for.
“We’ve put a lot on those centers’ shoulders and Kory has done an excellent job holding up the standard that we set that for that position at center and we’re expecting Josh to fill in and do a nice job on Sunday.”
There was wonder if the Redskins would slide Scherff to left tackle, where he was played at Iowa before he was drafted fifth-overall by the Redskins and shifted to right guard.
While that may be appealing on paper, the Redskins are opting for stability.
“I think you want to try to keep as much continuity as you can as possible,” McVay said. “Brandon, I think has done a nice job settling in at that right guard spot and he and Morg are continuing to develop a rapport together. Then you throw in Josh inside in the mix. Ty is a guy that’s had the ability to play both right and left tackle for us.
“He’s a big guy, he’s strong, he’s got some length, so it’ll be exciting for him. We know it’s going to be an excellent and great challenge against a very, very tough defense, but I think he’s excited about the opportunity he’s got on Sunday.”
Nsekhe, who’s played parts of five seasons in the Arena Football League, signed with the Redskins this past offseason. He’s appeared in four games — two with the Redskins this season and two with the St. Louis Rams in 2012.
“I practice like I’m going to start on Sundays anyways, so it’s time to step up to the plate,” Nsekhe said. “I take every practice, every rep like I’m playing on Sunday, so it’s nothing new.”
• Anthony Gulizia can be reached at agulizia@washingtontimes.com.
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