Redskins linebacker Adam Hayward suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Thursday night's preseason home opener against the Detroit Lions.*
For a second straight year, Redskins linebacker and special teams captain Adam Hayward has seen his season end prematurely due to injury.
The Redskins on Saturday placed Hayward on the Reserved/Injured list after he suffered a torn right ACL during a second-quarter kickoff in Thursday evening's 2015 Preseason home opener against the Detroit Lions at FedExField.
Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said after the game that Hayward was undergoing an MRI Friday to further evaluate the damage to his knee.
"It's a big blow for special teams, you're right," Gruden told reporters after Thursday night's game. "And leadership – Adam was voted captain. He just got here from Tampa last year, and he was voted captain unanimously."
Hayward, who signed with the team as an unrestricted free agent last season, had logged 13 special teams tackles for the Redskins in 2014 by Week 12 when he suffered a season-ending leg injury against the San Francisco 49ers.
Hayward's prognosis means two of the Redskins' top special teams performers will not play in the 2015 season, joining tight end Niles Paul, who suffered a season-ending broken ankle Aug. 13 against the Cleveland Browns.
"That is a big blow – more so off the field in the locker room than on the field," Gruden said when asked about Hayward and Paul. "But they are both impactful players on the field."
The Redskins also lost another key special teams contributor, tight end Logan Paulsen, for the season after he underwent surgery on his big toe this week.
With Hayward, Paul and Paulsen done for the year, the special teams leadership duties turn over to fullback Darrel Young.
"Guys have to step up in this situation. Right now it's on me," Young told ESPN.com's John Keim after Thursday's game. "I'm the next guy up on special teams. I have to be a leader for guys."
Young also said safeties Dashon Goldson and Jeron Johnson will be counted on for their leadership for special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica's units moving forward.
"We have to find the Redskins way and be better," Young continued. "Everyone knows special teams has been kind of rough for us the last couple years. We lost two of our best players. We'll see what happens."
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