Redskins lose Hall, Ihenacho for rest of season

JOSEPH WHITE
AP Sports Writer

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — DeAngelo Hall made his way around on crutches with a walking boot on his leg, his season over with a ruptured left Achilles.

The Washington Redskins lost their three-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the rest of the 2014 when an MRI confirmed what was suspected after Hall was hurt in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Backup safety Duke Ihenacho is also done for the season with a broken bone in his left foot. Both Hall and Ihenacho were placed on injured reserve Monday, and while defensive end Jason Hatcher, linebacker Brian Orakpo and guard Shawn Lauvao were among several players nursing injuries that could keep them out of Thursday’s game against the New York Giants.

“Everybody’s kind of consoling me like I’m dying,” Hall said. “I’m like, ‘Look, y’all, I’m not on suicide watch, I’ll be all right.’ It could’ve been a whole lot worse. I’m hearing Achilles aren’t the end of the world.”

Hall, wearing purple and gold Los Angeles Lakers shorts, said he spoke with Kobe Bryant shortly after the game to get advice about surgery and rehab. Bryant tore his Achilles last year.

“I’m not a spring chicken, so I’ve got to make sure I get it done the right way,” said the 30-year-old Hall. “Got to be as patient with it as possible.”

Hall said he hasn’t decided where or when to have his surgery. He’s had a relatively healthy career and hasn’t missed a game since 2009.

Hall’s absence will be felt by a Redskins defense that is off to a good start but has been thinned by injuries. Second-year player David Amerson becomes the team’s No. 1 cornerback, and rookie fourth-round pick Bashaud Breeland could be the other starter Thursday against the New York Giants.

Tracy Porter, signed as a free agent to be the nickel cornerback, has yet to play this season because of a hamstring injury.

Hall is also a team leader, a position that would have been unexpected several years ago from a player known for his hot-headed moments. Asked if that element of his game will be missed, he pointed out that it was maybe for the best that he wasn’t on the field during the Eagles- Redskins brawl in the fourth quarter.

“I try to be a calming force, but I’m probably the craziest one out of everybody,” Hall said. “Somebody said thank God I wasn’t on the sidelines during the fight, because I might’ve been swinging my crutches around.”

Ihenacho was hurt while covering a kickoff in the first quarter against the Eagles. He was claimed off waivers from the Denver Broncos at the end of preseason and played in two games for the Redskins.

The Redskins filled one roster spot by promoting cornerback Chase Minnifield from the practice squad to the active roster.

Hatcher, Orapko and Lauvao were among 17 players listed on the injury report Monday. Coach Jay Gruden said all are day-to-day.

Hatcher injured a hamstring during the fourth quarter Sunday.

“We’ll just take the proper precaution with the trainers,” Hatcher said, “and see what they think about Thursday.”

Orakpo was scheduled to see a hand specialist about an injury to his left middle finger.

“I think he’ll be OK,” Gruden said. “It’s just going to hurt him a little bit.”

Lauvao’s right knee was bruised and swollen after he was hurt in the third quarter. An MRI showed no structural damage.

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AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

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Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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