ASHBURN — Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan had surgery on Monday after breaking the third metacarpal in his right hand during Sunday’s 31-30 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
According to coach Jay Gruden, Kerrigan will see the surgeon again in another week to determine whether he can play against the New England Patriots after the bye week.
Gruden said there is hope that Kerrigan will be able to play with a cast on his right hand.
Kerrigan has been one of the most durable players for the Redskins since joining the team in 2011. Entering this season, Kerrigan has never missed a game. He has 3.5 sacks and 16 tackles in seven games this season.
The injury happened in the first quarter when Kerrigan awkwardly rolled on his hand after trying to tackle Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston. He left the game after the final play of the quarter, a seven-yard run by running back Charles Sims.
Trent Murphy and Preston Smith, who normally rotate opposite Kerrigan, were counted on once he was injured.
Murphy, who entered the game playing 68.2 percent of defensive snaps this season, played 58 of the Redskins’ 63 snaps on Sunday. Smith played 37 snaps, or 59 percent. He entered the game playing 35.3 percent of the snaps.
Though it appears Kerrigan will not miss significant time, cornerback Bashaud Breeland status is uncertain after injuring his right hamstring in the fourth quarter. Breeland sustained the injury when he chased down running back Doug Martin after a 49-yard gain and made what Gruden considered a game-saving tackle. The Buccaneers came away with only a field goal after the stop.
“There’s concern there,” Gruden said. “We’re just going to have to monitor it day-to-day, like all hamstrings. Not sure how long he’ll be out.”
Inside linebackers Keenan Robinson and Perry Riley were also injured in the win, but Gruden said he thinks they will both be OK. According to Gruden, Robinson fractured a rib and has an oblique sprain. Riley strained a leg muscle. They’re both considered day-to-day.
After the bye week, the Redskins hope center Kory Lichtensteiger, cornerbacks Chris Culliver and DeAngelo Hall and wide receiver DeSean Jackson will return to practice.
Jackson has not played since tearing his left hamstring in the season opener. Lichtensteiger has missed the last two games with a disc-related issue that is causing weakness in his neck and shoulder areas.
“Kory is getting stronger,” Gruden said. “He’s getting closer, so hopefully after the bye week we’ll be able to get him at practice on Wednesday when we come back. There’s a good chance for that. We’ll see where he is but it’s just a matter of getting the strength back in his left side. He’s probably at 60 percent right now.”
Culliver has missed the last three games with a left knee injury. Hall not played since Week 3 after spraining his right big toe.
• Anthony Gulizia can be reached at agulizia@washingtontimes.com.
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