The return of linebacker Brian Orakpo to the Redskins defense is a reason for optimism on Washington, so his absence from practice on Friday was less than ideal.
Orakpo picked up an injury in practice on Thursday, but it has nothing to do with the torn pectoral that knocked him out last season and it doesn’t look like it will keep him on the sideline for any significant period of time. Orakpo took a knee to the thigh while defending a run play and said Friday that he’s optimistic that there’s no serious injury.
“I’m good. I’m real good. Just stuff, you get nicked up in camp, so just precaution. You’ve got to be smart,” Orakpo said, via Mike Jones of the Washington Post. “I’m not sure what the staff wants, but we’ll figure it out. It’s a day-to-day process with this. I had a knee to the quad, so once it calms down, we’ll see where we’re at.”
Coach Mike Shanahan said that there’s been no determination made about Orakpo’s status for Monday night’s game against the Steelers, although there’s probably not too much urgency to push Orakpo too far after experiencing life without him last season.