WT: Knee surgery shelves Arrington 2-4 weeks

[bubba9497]

Knee surgery shelves Arrington 2-4 weeks

By Jody Foldesy

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20040924-122610-6395r.htm

After several weeks of gritting his teeth and vowing, "No time to hurt," Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington now has time to hurt.

Two to four weeks, to be precise.

The Pro Bowl linebacker underwent arthroscopic knee surgery yesterday in Birmingham, Ala., after his right knee unexpectedly and rapidly deteriorated Wednesday night. Arrington will miss at least Monday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys as he spends the next week on crutches.

Surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews, a renowned orthopedist and senior consultant for the Redskins. Andrews is scheduled to check Arrington's knee in about a week.

The development complicates the task of assistant head coach for defense Gregg Williams, who is running the NFL's top-ranked unit but earlier this week lost starting defensive end Phillip Daniels. Daniels, who was diagnosed with a torn groin, also is expected to be out two to four weeks.

Against the Cowboys, a pair of seasoned but unproven reserves are expected to make their first NFL starts. While Ron Warner fills in at Daniels' right end position, Lemar Marshall should take over for Arrington at weakside linebacker.

"We've got some guys out, and we're going to have to have some other people step in and play great," coach Joe Gibbs said. "That's the way to look at it. It's some other guys' opportunity to play. Now is the time."

Arrington was diagnosed with a tear of the lateral meniscus. He initially injured the knee in the Sept. 12 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although there was some concern he might miss last weekend's New York Giants game, he consistently spoke of his determination to play and ended up participating fully.

This week's signs were good. Early Wednesday, according to Gibbs, Arrington's knee appeared as healthy as it had been in some time. But that night, said Gibbs, "It kind of ballooned up on us." Arrington traveled to Birmingham yesterday accompanied by Redskins director of sports medicine Bubba Tyer.

The Cowboys game represents Arrington's first regular-season absence since 2001. A string of 35 straight starts will be broken Monday.

"We're going to have to go until he gets back," Gibbs said. "From time to time up here, that happens. We hate it. LaVar sucked up his guts last week and played with it. We thought LaVar did a heck of a job for us. It's just one of those things that happens. You've got to get it taken care of."

Losing Daniels already was considered significant for a defense that has been very solid, particularly against the run. In its first season under Williams, the unit has kept the Redskins in a pair of contests while Gibbs' offense struggled.

The absence of Arrington could be a major setback, even though the three-time Pro Bowl pick didn't make any huge plays in the first two games. Arrington's incredible raw talent, particularly in rushing the quarterback, draws the focus of opposing offenses and might be one reason linebackers Marcus Washington and Antonio Pierce have stood out.

"It's tough," Washington said. "But another guy will be excited that he gets an opportunity to come in and play well."

That guy appears to be Marshall, whose role gradually has increased since he was signed as a young project in December 2001. A safety at Michigan State, Marshall was somewhat undersized when he arrived in Washington. Now 27, he has bulked up to about 230 pounds and still has the quickness to make an impact.

In the first two games, Marshall played in a few defensive packages and on pretty much all of Washington's special teams. Despite the national television audience and charged atmosphere Monday night, he believes he won't be overwhelmed.

"I'm not nervous at all," Marshall said. "This is a big game, so you want to step up. You don't want to make any mistakes and hurt the team. I know all my teammates feel comfortable with me going in, and I feel comfortable taking LaVar's place."

Gibbs also left open the possibility that Mike Barrow might overcome lingering tendinitis in his knee and make his Redskins debut. Barrow has been sidelined since the first week of training camp. He has participated more extensively in practice in recent weeks but hasn't been able to sustain his health.

[jrfriedm]

I just heard this on ESPN News!!! Oh My GOD this is not good!!! And to have happened of all weeks, the Cowboys week.

This does not make me feel happy, or content. Where will the pressure come from now? We are going to have to blitz our CBs so much now that I'm really scared that a really old never has been QB is going to burn us, and burn us bad. I don't think that I'm going to be able to sleep tonight. :doh::hammer:

[Golgo-13]

Man that sucks.

[jrfriedm]

Originally posted by Golgo-13

Man that sucks.

Thats the understatment of the year!!

[Golgo-13]

To be honest, of all of our "star" players Arrington going down would probably effect us the least. It would hurt us more to have a guy on offense go down.

[halter91]

Take a deep breath and relax.

We'll be fine, hopefully barrow can go and we move Pierce to outside. We'll still win, and I think ST might see a little more time.

:wewantd:

[Rockville Redskin]

Def a blower man! Somebody will step in and fellas we're gonna win this Monday Night.....:wewantd: Doesn't stop anything for me I'm Ready to Make Some Noise at OUR HOUSE!!!

[Truant]

Now some people are underestimating Lavar. Say what you want, but the production he gives comes with being keyed on by the offense every play. This means less for the offense to worry about when they come to the line and more emphasis on Washington.

[feeshta]

I thought Lavar looked a bit off in the Giants game, but didn't expect this. He just did nopt look himself on several plays to me, he was less explosive to the ball.

[NoCalMike]

The fact that the Cowboys have NO RUNNING GAME AT ALL.......helps lessen the impact of Lavar's absence for THIS WEEK......Next week the Browns, and they aren't exactly world beaters at RB either. If it is set as 2-4 weeks, a player like Lavar will be back in 1 and half weeks, unless it is something that keeps him off of his feet.

[panel]

Originally posted by NoCalMike

The fact that the Cowboys have NO RUNNING GAME AT ALL.......helps lessen the impact of Lavar's absence for THIS WEEK......Next week the Browns, and they aren't exactly world beaters at RB either. If it is set as 2-4 weeks, a player like Lavar will be back in 1 and half weeks, unless it is something that keeps him off of his feet.

LaVar is more than a run stopped, he is a pass rusher, a TE/RB pass coverage specialist, he is a shadow, he is a blitzer, big hitter, he is a playmaker, he is a preditor.

Will Barrow be back? then we can move Peirce over, and still have some speed.

[warren]

This sucks...

[Blondie]

We will see what this team is made of in terms of heart.

Arrington is a leader...and his absence will be felt.

But, I believe each and every guy out there will step up and make sure the boys know we are a team.....not just one great LB.

(I bet Lemar is nervous, no matter what he says! :laugh)

Blondie

[McMetal]

Sigh...further evidence that this is not our year.

It's going to be hard to tell how good this team would've/could've been. The mounting list of injuries is just ridiculous. I'll be very surprised if we see Lavar back before the Green Bay game. And even when he does come back it'll take time to round back into form.

How come it's always our star guys who get hurt anyway? Jansen, Brunell, Lavar, etc. Yes, many teams can make that complaint this year, but it still SUCKS.

Well, no point in spurring any more Anti-Doom & Gloom threads, so I will rein in the pessimism at this point.

I just hope these scrubs play their *sses off for a change and go Patriots on us.

[cphil006]

He is out 2-4 weeks, so realisticly, I don;t see him back for a while. We have 4 games before our bye, so I expect Arrington to miss those four games(including Dallas Monday night) then get some extra time during the week off and be ready to go against the Packers...let's shoot for Halloween.

[Mr. S]

man, he needs to be more careful these days, and against the cowboys too, he woulda wanted to play against them, you all going better be cheering louder now for Arrington and Daniels and everyone else out.

[RicRod]

This is when we will see the genius of Williams' D come thru and pound the Cowgirls!

[ktball74]

We will need the 12th man more than ever now! If you're going to the game, rest your voice this weekend, and save it for Monday night! I think Marshall can step up, and be an adequate fill in. Remeber, this is a team game.

[China]

Originally posted by McMetal

Sigh...further evidence that this is not our year.

It's going to be hard to tell how good this team would've/could've been. The mounting list of injuries is just ridiculous.

If you'll recall, last year the Patriots had a lot of injuries to starters and lost their first two games. They still ended up doing OK. I'm not saying we'll go to the Super Bowl, just that it doesn't have to be all gloom and doom. We just need our reserves to step up as the Patriot's reserves did last year. We'll see.

[SkinsBry]

LaVar is my favorite player so this is disappointing to me. However, I have faith in the coaching staff that the team is prepared for Dallas. This is just a test to see what our team is made of. A truely great team can overcome setbacks and move forward. When someone goes down another has to step up and fill in the hole. So keep the faith and don't let this get you down, our Redskins will be ready for Monday night. For those of us going, we need to step up the 12th man to be the best ever. The 'Skins need us as much as they need each other.

HTTR

:logo: :dallasuck :wewantd: :dallasuck :logo:

[Potato Sack]

I'm sorry. I'm not too concerned. The entire defense has stepped up. Arrington only has one sack. Last year this would have been devestating. But Williams relies a lot on safety and CB pressure during blitzes. I think we'll be fine. At least it's ONLY 2 to 4 weeks.

[aspkikn]

Agreed. I find it hard to say it considering I wear an Arrington jersey to the games (thanks bro), but the bigger LB loss on this team right now would be Marcus Washington.

[Skins26]

This is very very disappointing to me, not just b/c he is the heart and soul of our defense and we need him out there but also b/c he is so fun to watch and you can tell he really cares about this team and lives and dies with every win or loss. I cannot imagine how dissappointed he is considering he was really disappointed when he had to miss preseason games.

First Jansen, now Lavar. This isnt good.

Maybe this will give him some more free time to read the message boards. Lavar if your out there, get better soon, and please hurry back! WE NEED YOU!

[Beaudry]

Before you complain too much, look at injuries around the league. The Bears and Browns are in rough shape for a while, it appears.

ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-2) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (2-0)

Arizona Cardinals

OUT

WR Anquan Boldin (knee)

DOUBTFUL

LB Raynoch Thompson (knee)

Atlanta Falcons

OUT

LB Jamie Duncan (pectoral); CB DeAngelo Hall (hip)

QUESTIONABLE

DT Roderick Coleman (hamstring); RB Warrick Dunn (knee); WR Brian Finneran (ankle/Achilles); DE Karon Riley (groin)

BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-1) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-1)

Baltimore Ravens

OUT

C Mike Flynn (shoulder)

DOUBTFUL

TE Todd Heap (ankle); WR Travis Taylor (thigh)

QUESTIONABLE

T Ethan Brooks (knee); DT Kelly Gregg (knee); CB Deion Sanders (hamstring)

Cincinnati Bengals

OUT

DT Matthias Askew (knee); S Kim Herring (foot); DE Carl Powell (knee)

DOUBTFUL

T Stacy Andrews (knee); LB Caleb Miller (ankle); G Larry Moore (knee)

QUESTIONABLE

S Rogers Beckett (concussion); C Rich Braham (knee)

PROBABLE

DE Robert Geathers (ankle); RB James Lynch (hamstring); CB Terrell Roberts (groin); WR Peter Warrick (shin)

CHICAGO BEARS (1-1) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-1)

Chicago Bears

OUT

CB Jerry Azumah (neck); DT Alfonso Boone (knee); S Mike Brown (Achilles/IR); CB Charles Tillman (knee); G Rex Tucker (elbow)

QUESTIONABLE

G Mike Gandy (hamstring); S Cameron Worrell (hamstring)

PROBABLE

LB Marcus Reese (hamstring)

Minnesota Vikings

OUT

TE Jim Kleinsasser (knee); T Mike Rosenthal (foot); TE Jermaine Wiggins (hand)

QUESTIONABLE

RB Michael Bennett (knee); RB Moe Williams (ankle)

CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-1) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1-1)

Cleveland Browns

OUT

DE Courtney Brown (foot); T Ryan Tucker (quadricep); DT Gerard Warren (pectoral); TE Kellen Winslow (ankle)

DOUBTFUL

TE Steve Heiden (knee)

QUESTIONABLE

DE Ebenezer Ekuban (groin); CB Anthony Henry (concussion); CB Daylon McCutcheon (finger); RB Lee Suggs (neck); G Paul Zukauskas (knee)

PROBABLE

RB James Jackson (ankle)

New York Giants

QUESTIONABLE

RB Ron Dayne (calf); LB Carlos Emmons (groin); LB Barrett Green (ankle); WR Jamaar Taylor (hamstring); CB Frank Walker (foot)

GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-1)

Green Bay Packers

OUT

DT Grady Jackson (knee); DT James Lee (knee)

QUESTIONABLE

RB Najeh Davenport (hamstring); DT Kenny Peterson (ankle)

PROBABLE

C Mike Flanagan (knee); RB Nicolas Luchey (groin)

Indianapolis Colts

OUT

CB Joseph Jefferson (knee); S Bob Sanders (foot); WR Troy Walters (upper arm fracture)

QUESTIONABLE

S Mike Doss (hamstring); LB Gilbert Gardner (ankle); RB Edgerrin James (hamstring)

PROBABLE

TE Dallas Clark (thigh); RB James Mungro (wrist); CB Donald Strickland (shoulder)

HOUSTON TEXANS (0-2) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-2)

Houston Texans

OUT

S Eric Brown (knee)

QUESTIONABLE

RB Tony Hollings (knee); G Zach Wiegert (elbow)

PROBABLE

QB David Carr (stomach); DT Jerry DeLoach (ankle); C Steve McKinney (shoulder); WR J.J. Moses (knee); DT Seth Payne (elbow); LB Jamie Sharper (knee); S Jason Simmons (hamstring); G Todd Washington (arm)

Kansas City Chiefs

OUT

TE Kris Wilson (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE

LB Keyaron Fox (thigh); DE Vonnie Holliday (groin); RB Priest Holmes (ankle); WR Eddie Kennison (hamstring); WR Samie Parker (hamstring); S Greg Wesley (hamstring)

PROBABLE

DE Jared Allen (knee); CB William Bartee (neck); DT John Browning (foot); RB Omar Easy (knee); TE Tony Gonzalez (foot); DT Junior Siavii (neck)

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-0) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1-1)

Jacksonville Jaguars

OUT

DE Paul Spicer (lower leg)

DOUBTFUL

TE Kyle Brady (finger)

QUESTIONABLE

RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (foot)

PROBABLE

DE Lionel Barnes (shoulder)

Tennessee Titans

OUT

G Zach Piller (biceps)

QUESTIONABLE

WR Drew Bennett (ribs); WR Tyrone Calico (knee); LB Rocky Calmus (back); C Justin Hartwig (shoulder); WR Darrell Hill (hip); T Brad Hopkins (knee); LB Brad Kassell (Achilles); WR Jake Schifino (hamstring)

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-1) AT ST. LOUIS RAMS (1-1)

New Orleans Saints

QUESTIONABLE

CB Jason Craft (ankle); WR Joe Horn (knee); DE Darren Howard (neck); RB Deuce McAllister (ankle); DT Brian Young (hip)

St. Louis Rams

OUT

CB Travis Fisher (forearm); DT Jimmy Kennedy (foot)

DOUBTFUL

LB Trev Faulk (hamstring)

QUESTIONABLE

CB Dejuan Groce (knee); G Tom Nutten (toe)

PROBABLE

QB Marc Bulger (right elbow); G Chris Dishman (toe); DE Erik Flowers (back); CB Kevin Garrett (foot); DE Leonard Little (knee); LB Tommy Polley (ribs)

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0) AT DETROIT LIONS (2-0)

Philadelphia Eagles

QUESTIONABLE

DE Jerome McDougle (groin); DT Darwin Walker (calf)

PROBABLE

DT Paul Grasmanis (Achilles/knee); CB Roderick Hood (hamstring); LB Dhani Jones (ankle); WR Todd Pinkston (shoulder); CB Lito Sheppard (thumb); LB Mark Simoneau (ankle); LB Nate Wayne (pectoral)

Detroit Lions

OUT

LB Boss Bailey (knee)

QUESTIONABLE

CB Dre' Bly (knee); DE Kalimba Edwards (foot); CB Andre' Goodman (thigh); T Matt Joyce (elbow)

PROBABLE

WR Az-Zahir Hakim (thigh); DE James Hall (hand); DT Shaun Rogers (ankle)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-1) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-2)

Pittsburgh Steelers

OUT

QB Tommy Maddox (right elbow)

QUESTIONABLE

LB Kendrell Bell (groin); RB Verron Haynes (hip pointer); S Mike Logan (hamstring); CB Chad Scott (groin)

Miami Dolphins

OUT

RB Travis Minor (ankle)

DOUBTFUL

DT Tim Bowens (back); LB Tony Bua (hamstring); RB Rob Konrad (thigh)

QUESTIONABLE

CB Reggie Howard (hamstring); CB Patrick Surtain (groin)

PROBABLE

DE David Bowens (stomach); RB Lamar Gordon (back); RB Sammy Morris (ankle); DT Bryan Robinson (hand); LB Junior Seau (toe); T John St. Clair (ankle); DE Jason Taylor (foot)

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (1-1) AT DENVER BRONCOS (1-1)

San Diego Chargers

QUESTIONABLE

DE Adrian Dingle (thigh); TE Antonio Gates (foot)

PROBABLE

QB Drew Brees (concussion); LB Randall Godfrey (concussion); RB LaDainian Tomlinson (toe)

Denver Broncos

OUT

DE Trevor Pryce (back)

DOUBTFUL

CB Lenny Walls (shoulder)

QUESTIONABLE

RB Garrison Hearst (ankle)

PROBABLE

CB Roc Alexander (finger); CB Champ Bailey (calf); RB Tatum Bell (finger); T Cornell Green (groin); CB Willie Middlebrooks (shoulder); WR Darius Watts (buttocks)

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (0-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-0)

San Francisco 49ers

OUT

C Jeremy Newberry (knee); DE Andrew Williams (shin - lower leg fracture)

DOUBTFUL

DE Andre Carter (back); T Kwame Harris (knee/ankle)

QUESTIONABLE

QB Tim Rattay (right shoulder); CB Mike Rumph (groin); WR Cedrick Wilson (hamstring)

Seattle Seahawks

OUT

LB Chad Brown (fibula)

PROBABLE

TE Jerramy Stevens (knee)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (0-2) AT OAKLAND RAIDERS (1-1) on Sunday Night

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

OUT

WR Joey Galloway (groin)

PROBABLE

TE Dave Moore (elbow)

Oakland Raiders

DOUBTFUL

DE Sam Williams (shoulder)

QUESTIONABLE

RB Justin Fargas (toe); LB Napoleon Harris (knee); TE Roland Williams (knee)

DALLAS COWBOYS (1-1) AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-1) on Monday Night

Dallas Cowboys

OUT

RB Julius Jones (shoulder)

QUESTIONABLE

G Andre Gurode (knee); WR Randal Williams (shoulder)

Washington Redskins

OUT

DE Phillip Daniels (groin)

QUESTIONABLE

LB LaVar Arrington (knee); LB Mike Barrow (knee); QB Mark Brunell (hamstring)

PROBABLE

S Matt Bowen (shoulder); K John Hall (hamstring (right); LB Antonio Pierce (ribs); T Chris Samuels (groin)

[Skins11]

Originally posted by Potato Sack

I'm sorry. I'm not too concerned. The entire defense has stepped up. Arrington only has one sack.

That's not a good reason to be not concerned. The reason he only has 1 sack is because he has been double teamed, since opposing o-lines fear him the most. Without having to double him, o-linemen can focus on the other guys more to try to neutralize them.