Jarvis

Jenkins

The 41st pick in last April’s draft, Jenkins missed his rookie season with a torn right ACL suffered in the preseason. If Jenkins’ explosion is all the way back, he should be able to overtake Adam Carriker for a starting job.

Jenkins was the star of Washington’s training camp before suffering a season-ending ACL injury, and incumbent starter Adam Carriker is not likely to be retained this offseason. With the return of a healthy Jenkins, the Redskins’ defensive line will be much improved in 2012.

Per coach Mike Shanahan, the 2011 second-rounder remains ahead of schedule in his recovery. In late October, DC Jim Haslett estimated Jenkins could have played late in the season had he not been placed on injured reserve. Jenkins was a training camp sensation before suffering the injury in preseason action.

“We’re 10 practices into camp, and I still haven’t seen him produce a moment that reminds me of last summer,” says beat writer Rich Campbell. Jenkins was emerging as the Skins’ top lineman as a rookie before the ACL tear. He may have to come off the bench behind Adam Carriker and Stephen Bowen this time around.

As a second-round rookie last year, Jenkins practiced like the Skins’ best defensive lineman in training camp before tearing the ACL in preseason. He was medically cleared before the draft and will push Adam Carriker for a starting job.

The No. 41 pick last season, Jenkins turned heads with a strong camp before going down in the third preseason game. “He’s got a little brace on his knee, but he’s been taking all the reps and doing extremely well,” coach Mike Shanahan said. Jenkins is expected to rotate with both LE Adam Carriker and RE Stephen Bowen this season.

Carriker started the first two games of last season before tearing his quad. Jenkins stepped in and manned the left end spot for the final 14 games. He recorded just 25 tackles, failing to register a single sack or forced fumble. Coach Mike Shanahan recently said Carriker is around 70 or 80 percent recovered, and it’s uncertain if he’ll be ready for training camp.

It’s a particularly big blow to Washington’s defense because No. 3 end Adam Carriker may miss the enter season following a third quadriceps surgery. Jenkins, the Redskins’ second-round pick in 2011, made 15 starts last year, including the playoffs. Pro Football Focus gave him high grades as a run defender. The Redskins are suddenly thin at defensive end, with Kedric Golston, Phillip Merling, and Chris Baker now competing to be a Week 1 starter.

Jenkins signed a deal back in March and was given $3 million guaranteed. For that $3 million, the Jets got 119 defensive snaps out of Jenkins. He’s a decent run stuffer at 28 years old, but the Jets are deep up front.

A 28-year-old journeyman, Jenkins was cut by the Jets last week. He will provide depth on a Chiefs defensive line that is missing DE Allen Bailey (pectoral).