Redskins safeties David Bruton Jr. and Su'a Cravens are currently in concussion protocol after being removed from Sunday's game, while an MRI revealed Ryan Kerrigan's elbow injury to not be serious.
Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden announced on Monday that safeties David Bruton Jr. and Su'a Cravens are in concussion protocol, while linebacker Ryan Kerrigan will be "day-to-day" after suffering a left elbow sprain/hyperextension in Sunday's 31-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Bruton Jr. and Cravens both were removed in the second half of Washington's game against Cleveland. Bruton Jr. was taken out one play prior the Redskins forcing a fumble on Isaiah Crowell in the fourth quarter. Prior to his exit, the Notre Dame product appeared on 43 defensive plays -- recording four tackles -- along with six special teams plays.
If Bruton Jr. is unable to play this weekend, the Redskins will have to call upon Duke Ihenacho and Deshazor Everett to fill his shoes, as Washington already had to bump Will Blackmon into the starting lineup after DeAngelo Hall (who had surgery on Monday) suffered a torn ACL against the New York Giants.
So far this season, Ihenacho has totaled five tackles in three games after being inactive for the regular season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The San Jose State product won a starting spot in 2015, but a fractured wrist derailed his season after just one game.
Everett, meanwhile, made a "huge, late push" to earn a roster spot during the preseason.
"We knew he was a good special teams player, he's one of our most valuable special teams players last year. We were a little concerned on the safety transition, but the last couple of weeks he's really, really done a good job," Gruden said last month. "He's made his presence felt both in the running game hitting people, and the passing game, getting in the passing lane hitting receivers. Special teams, that's where he makes his money and that's where he's the best."
On a 3rd-and-8 play in the third quarter of the Redskins' 11-point victory over the Browns, Cravens attempted to tackle Crowell short of the first down marker, but as the rookie latched on to the running back, he fell to the ground before being helped off the field.
The 2016 second-round pick has been one of Washington's most productive defensive players, as Cravens has collected 14 tackles along with three passes defensed and, of course, a diving interception off an Eli Manning pass attempt to secure a Redskins victory over the Giants in a Week 3 matchup at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Kerrigan played on just eight snaps before leaving the field on Sunday. Depending on how the 2011 first-round pick progresses over the next few days, he could miss the first regular season game of his career.
The Purdue product has started and appeared in 83 of the Redskins' regular season games over the last six seasons. He is currently fourth all-time in franchise history in sacks and needs just one more to earn 50 sacks in his career.
Kerrigan headed to the locker room shortly after coming out of the game, but soon returned to the sideline with a protective sleeve over his elbow. He tested out his pain tolerance in his arm by doing some drills with Houston Bates, but never returned to the game.
Without Kerrigan in the lineup, Trent Murphy and Preston Smith carried the load at outside linebacker, while Bates appeared on 11 defensive plays.
Gruden also said during his Monday press conference that cornerback Bashaud Breeland (ankle), guard Shawn Lauvao (ankle) and cornerback Dashaun Phillips (hamstring) are also "day-to-day" and will be revaluated later in the week.
