The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Bad news on the first day of training camp: defensive end Phillip Daniels suffered a left knee injury and was carted off the field.
Daniels, a 13-year veteran, could not put any weight on the leg as he was helped into the athletic trainer's room at Redskins Park.

The injury happened during 9-on-9 drills midway through Sunday's practice. His leg got caught between another lineman and he landed awkwardly.

The team will update Daniels's status later this afternoon.

Daniels was projected as the starting right defensive end. His backup is Demetric Evans.

The Redskins also have defensive end Erasmus James in camp.

James, a former first-round pick acquired in a trade this offseason, is sidelined early in camp as he continues to recover from knee ligament injuries.

James is expected to be available in mid-August, sometime before the end of training camp, according to head coach Jim Zorn

Daniels Hurt as Training Camp Begins (Updated)

Phillip Daniels injured his left knee a little over an hour into practice, which ended at about 10:10 (lasting a little more than 90 minutes), and was taken off the field on a cart. He and the guys were doing nine-on-nine drills and it wasn't clear exactly how the injury occurred. He lay on the field for a few minutes with players and trainers around him; Andre Carter came over and gave him a hug. Demetric Evans stepped in for Daniels, but he's the only guy with any real experience to play that defensive end position.

Lest anyone thought there would be repercussions for Shawn Springs missing OTAs, put that out of your mind. He was on the field in his usual spot with the first-team defense in 11-on-11s. Coach Jim Zorn had said that Stephon Heyer would come in to spell Chris Samuels and that already has happened. Heyer is in there in the 11-on-11s.

Devin Thomas (No. 11) has scored points with the crowd, at least. He beat Matteral Richardson for a nice gain on a slant and got a big cheer.

The Redskins have added a new wrinkle to camp...enormous tubes that are covered with tarps, providing shady spots in which players can seek relief from the heat and the sun. Lots of veterans are congregating there and they're the talk of the fans in attendance...or they were until Daniels got hurt.

All the players who were expected to be on the field were present. The only ones not participating in drills were, as expected, Erasmus James and Carlos Rogers, both of whom are recovering from knee injuries. Neither was in pads, although, interestingly, Rogers was wearing a helmet. James was working with trainers; Rogers was hanging out with the defense, listening to the coaches, while players did drills. About 45 minutes into practice, players were moving into scouting drills: offense vs. offense, defense vs. defense.

Just a note on how we're doing business during training camp and in practices beyond: Jason La Canfora and Jason Reid are on the field, phoning and texting me (Cindy) with updates.

Phillip Daniels Update

Starting defensive end Phillip Daniels hyper-extended his left knee on the first play of 7-on-7 drills (I was right the first time on that, then confused myself on the previous post). He is going for an MRI right now and the coaches expect a medical update this afternoon.

Coach Jim Zorn said he did not know the extent of the knee sprain at this time and is hoping for the best, though it could turn out to be a significant blow. "We're hoping all it is is hyper-extended," Zorn said.

Daniels, 35, looked bad as he was being carted off, with a towel over his head and his head hung low. Demetric Evans, who took Daniels' starting spot in drills, said he thought that by the sound of Daniels's voice after the injury it was not too severe, and was keeping his fingers crossed. (Evans adopted Daniels' weight-lifting program this offseasoon to improve his upper-body strength, something Daniels is noted for.)

The Redskins have failed to upgrade the defensive line through a significant signing - or a first-day draft choice - for much of this decade, an issue since 2004, when Joe Gibbs took over. Evans is the only experienced end who provides depth, with youngsters Chris Wilson and Alex Buzbee now with the second team. Both lack the size and heft to be every-down ends at this point in their career.

It is one of the thinest spots on the roster, and a reason why some rival execs were shocked the Redskins did not use one of their high picks on the position in the last few drafts. Daniels has been injury-prone much of his career, and this injury was somewhat freakish, as bodies ended up tangled at the line of scrimmage after the snap.

Daniels is a versatile veteran, who has played increasingly as a tackle in recent years, with his legs slowing but his upper-body still powerful. He is entering his 13th season.

We'll post the full scope of the injury as soon as it is determined.

Gnome wrote:I'll be the first to say it - JASON TAYLOR.

Let the FO bashing begin. Get ready to be reminded about 10,000 times the FO failed to add any D-Line help. Unless we count Erasmus James and his bum knee help.

Gnome wrote:I'll be the first to say it - JASON TAYLOR.

Let the FO bashing begin. Get ready to be reminded about 10,000 times the FO failed to add any D-Line help. Unless we count Erasmus James and his bum knee help.

skins2357 wrote:just saw john clayton on espn. he said that Daniels is done and the skins are talking to the phins. It said it looked very likely a deal will get done for a 2nd rounder. This is of course if Taylor apporoves the redskins

tribeofjudah wrote:Daniels Out For Season; Buzbee Goes Down

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/

we're in deep cowdung now.....

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins defensive end Phillip Daniels injured a left knee ligament Sunday during the first practice of training camp and could miss the upcoming season, a person within the NFL said.

The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Redskins had not yet made an official announcement about the nature of Daniels' injury.

Redskins coach Jim Zorn was expected to discuss Daniels' status after running his team through its second practice Sunday.

Daniels was hurt on the initial play of 7-on-7 offense vs. defense drills Sunday. He stayed down on the turf for several minutes before being taken away on a cart, a towel draped over his head.

Daniels has played 12 seasons in the NFL with Washington, Chicago and Seattle. His 59 career sacks rank 17th among active players.

The Redskins began training camp with Erasmus James sidelined. He's a former first-round pick whose career is threatened by a pair of serious knee injuries.

The team has been in need of a young pass-rushing end, having failed to significantly address the position in free agency or the draft.

CanesSkins26 wrote:This is exactly why myself and others harped all offseason about adding help on the defensive line. Now we're likely going to be forced to give up a high draft pick for yet another aging player in order to replace Daniels.

cleg wrote:Not the way we want to start the season especially since the average age of the d line is 109 years old. I hope for the best.