Injuries decimating Redskins’ defensive unit

LANDOVER — Another week, another spate of key injuries for the Washington Redskins.

When linebacker Ryan Kerrigan reached out to make a tackle early in the second quarter, his extended arm was hit from behind. Kerrigan left the game with 14:45 to play. He was initially listed as questionable to return, went to the lockerroom, then was downgraded to out. He walked back to the sideline with a sleeve on his sprained left elbow. X-rays were negative. Kerrigan will have an MRI on Monday.

In the moment, Kerrigan had a clear thought.

“Man, this hurts like hell,” he said.

His irritation afterward was two-fold: First, the injury came early in the game. Second, though he tried to make himself believe he could return, he knew that he would be a one-armed player if he re-entered the field.

“That’s not being a good teammate,” Kerrigan said.

Linebacker Su’a Cravens and strong safety David Bruton both left the game because of concussions. Losing the pair does further damage to an already depleted Redskins secondary. Last week, free safety DeAngelo Hall was lost for the season. After not practicing all week, cornerback Bashaud Breeland did not play Sunday because of a high ankle sprain sustained in Week 3 against the New York Giants.

Injuries are always an issue in the NFL. But, they are mounting for the Redskins, who are now one quarter of the way through the schedule. Starting center Kory Lichtensteiger and Hall are out for the year. Left guard Shawn Lauvao did not play Sunday. He was replaced by Arie Kouandjio, who was called for two holding penalties. Playing Kouandjio at guard meant the Redskins kept Trent Williams at left tackle. Williams was an emergency fill-in at guard in Week 3 because of the injuries.

Cravens was hurt after trying to make a tackle with 1:24 to play in the third quarter. He was face down on the ground for a few seconds before trying to get up and wobbling when doing so. He walked off the field and was assessed for a concussion.

Bruton was hurt with 9:53 to play in the fourth quarter. Multiple people helped him off the field and straight to the lockerroom. Duke Ihenacho, who was rotating in at strong safety prior to the injury, took his place.