Brian

Orakpo

A feared pass rusher early in Washington, Orakpo’s career was slowed by injury. He did have some solid years in Tennessee, registering 17.5 sacks between 2016-17. His 66 quarterback takedowns are 104th all time and 18th amongst players active in 2018. Orakpo was best known to offensive linemen as a bull rusher with a special ability to convert his speed into straight-line power. The 13th overall pick in the 2009 draft, Orakpo is hanging ‘em up at only 32 years old.

Orakpo was hoping to at least practice this week, but that never materialized. This will be his second straight absence. Second-round rookie Harold Landry will pick up his snaps at outside linebacker.

Orakpo says he is “getting better day by day” but he’s still at least questionable for a Week 16 return after being ruled out on the Friday before last Sunday’s game. The veteran outside linebacker is trying to get back as fast as possible with the Titans in the mix for the last wild card spot.

Orakpo (elbow) was ruled out on Friday. S Dane Cruikshank (knee), CB Joshua Kalu (hamstring), OT Taylor Lewan (shoulder), QB Marcus Mariota (abdomen) and WR Tajae Sharpe (ankle) will all be in uniform for Week 15.

Orakpo tore his left pectoral in Week 17 and had surgery on January 10. He said he’s now “100 percent, ready to go.” Orakpo has missed just one game in his first three seasons, and is coming off a nine-sack campaign. Pro Football Focus graded Orakpo as the NFL’s seventh best 3-4 outside linebacker last year.

Orakpo tweeted the news himself. We suspect the procedure is related to the pectoral injury he suffered in the season finale. There’s not yet a recovery timetable. Facing constant double teams as one of the few playmakers on the Redskins defense, Orakpo finished his third season as Pro Football Focus’ seventh-ranked 3-4 outside linebacker.

Orakpo will undergo an MRI on Monday and the fear is that he’s torn the pectoral. That would result in a 4-6 month recovery period. Orakpo recorded nine sacks and 60 tackles in his third season.

Orakpo has been doubled nearly every snap, but has still managed to notch seven sacks for the third consecutive season. All the extra attention has helped create favorable matchups for rookie OLB Ryan Kerrigan, who’s tallied 7.5 sacks of his own. A Pro Bowl alternate, Orakpo has graded out as the seventh best 3-4 outside linebacker by Pro Football Focus.

Orakpo registered his eighth and ninth sacks of the season prior to being injured. Rob Jackson replaces him in the lineup at outside linebacker.

Although Orakpo declared himself “100 percent, ready to go” in May, he did not fully participate in last month’s minicamp. Seven months removed from surgery, the Redskins’ top pass rusher shouldn’t be limited in August practices.