Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden said on Friday he fears left guard Shawn Lauvao will, “miss a little bit of time,” after sustaining a lateral sprain in his left ankle in Thursday’s 32-21 loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
“He had swelling this morning, so strength loss,” Gruden said. “He’s got a chance to miss a little bit of time. That’s probably our biggest concern.”
The Redskins will also be without cornerback DeAngelo Hall for at least three to four weeks, according to Gruden. Hall sustained a grade two tear in a toe on his right foot at the start of the third quarter and will see a foot specialist.
Gruden said that the team is uncertain if Hall needs surgery, but that he could be out longer than the expected three to four weeks.
Lauvao was injured with 9:03 to play in the first quarter on an Alfred Morris run. Josh LeRibeus entered to play left guard, only to strain his left calf. Tom Compton, inactive the first two games because of a right calf strain, replaced LeRibeus at left guard.
Right tackle Morgan Moses also hyperextended his left elbow. He stayed in the game and played through the injury.
With the offensive line depth thinning, the Redskins will rely on Compton, who can play both guard and tackle, as well as tight end. It also means some playing time is in store for second-year right guard Spencer Long and rookie left guard Arie Kouandjio.
Gruden said LeRibeus’ injury is day-to-day.
“When [LeRibeus] went down we were holding on for dear life because we don’t have another center, “Gruden said. “Spencer Long, he can play some center, some left guard. Arie Kouandjio. We have some depth on the offensive line. Obviously don’t want to lose anybody, but we still have Kouandjio who is ready to play, Spencer Long is ready to play, Compton is here, obviously [Ty] Nsekhe is still here, so we have nine pretty good bodies.”“
Wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who strained his left hamstring in the season opener Sept. 13, is progressing and could be ready sooner than expected, Gruden said.
Jackson was initially expected to miss three to four weeks, though there was concern it could be longer. Four weeks would mean a return against the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 11, and Gruden said “there is a chance” Jackson is back Oct. 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“He’s a unique human being in a lot of ways; that was a compliment,” Gruden joked. “He’s working very hard with the trainer and we’ll just wait and see. We’ll get back here Monday. He’s going to have good treatments Saturday and Sunday then when we get back here Monday, we’ll see how he’s jogging around a little bit. And then Tuesday, we’ll be off and Wednesday we’ll see where he’s at. I know he’s champing at the bit to get back, but we’ve got to be smart with him. You know, those hamstrings are tricky. He’s got to be full-go for him to go.”
Inside linebacker Perry Riley, who missed Thursday’s game with a calf strain, is going to be re-evaluated throughout the week and is also day-to-day.
The Redskins dressed just three inside linebackers against the Giants.
Defensive end Kedric Golston also broke a hand in Thursday’s loss but continued to play through the injury. He fractured the fourth metatarsal and played with a small cast on it. Gruden said he is limited, but expects him to be OK.
• Anthony Gulizia can be reached at agulizia@washingtontimes.com.
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