Two players on the roster bubble in Washington may have knee injuries suffered on Thursday bring an end their chances of playing for the team in 2014.
Nose tackle Chris Neild and inside linebacker Akeem Jordan were both forced out of the game against the Buccaneers and the early word from coach Jay Gruden didn’t sound good for either player. Gruden said, via the Washington Times, Neild’s injury “looks like an ACL tear” and Jordan would be evaluated for the same injury after suffering what was initially diagnosed as an MCL sprain.
Both veterans were playing on Thursday night because they had failed to lock down a roster spot heading into the final preseason game. Even if the initial diagnosis is more dire than the actual extent of the injury, any missed time is going to work against their chances of sticking on the 53-man roster after Saturday’s cuts.
On the defensive line, that would seem to make Clifton Geathers staying with the team a likelier option while Jordan’s injury should benefit Will Compton’s bid to make the team this year.