Redskins running back Roy Helu Jr. is hoping to be full strength by the club’s May OTAs after left foot surgery two months ago, Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com reported Friday.
Helu Jr. missed most of the 2012 season because of problems in the foot. He told CSNWashington.com that a examination earlier this year found cartilage damage in his left toe that had gone previously undiscovered. The third-year back from Nebraska was able to resume running this week, he told El-Bashir.
Helu Jr. racked up 640 rushing yards and another 379 yards receiving as a rookie in 2011. He had seven catches but just two carries in three games last season. The vast majority of rushing attempts by Washington tailbacks in 2012 went to Alfred Morris, who carried 335 times. No other back had more than 23 rushes (Evan Royster).
Also notable: No Redskins tailback had more than 15 catches a season ago; by contrast; Helu paced Washington backs with 49 receptions in 2011. In March, Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said Helu Jr. could “help us out a lot in the third down package,” Rich Campbell of the Washington Times reported.
Helu Jr., Royster, Keiland Williams and Tristan Davis are the veteran options behind Morris on the Redskins’ depth chart.