Wide receiver David Patten underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Friday morning, a procedure that will sideline him for the remainder of the season.
The Redskins have placed Patten on the injured reserve list, the team has announced. To fill Patten's roster spot, the Redskins signed rookie wide receiver Rich Parson, who will make his NFL debut on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders at FedExField.
Regarding Patten, head coach Joe Gibbs said: "We were hoping that it was going to be something where [the knee] was just cleaned out, but they had to do some kind of repair to it. I don't think it's anything serious. But it's going to be six weeks, so we're going to put him on injured reserve."
Added Gibbs: "David was concerned that it was bothering him and he could hurt the team. David's great--he always looks out for the team."
Replacing Patten in the starting lineup will be third-year receiver Taylor Jacobs, according to Gibbs. James Thrash will likely serve as the team's third option at wide receiver.
"It gives Taylor and James [Thrash] an opportunity to step up there," Gibbs said. "Hopefully David will bounce back quick and we'll get him ready for next year."
Third-year wide receiver Jimmy Farris, released by the Redskins last preseason, was at Redskins Park for the second consecutive day on Friday. He worked out for team officials on Thursday, but there is no word yet on whether he will be signed.
Asked about Farris, Gibbs said: "We haven't signed him."
It's possible that Farris could be signed to the 53-man roster early next week. The 6-0, 200-pound receiver impressed coaches as a receiver and special teams player in the preseason, but he was caught in a numbers crunch at the position and ultimately cut.
Parson was added to provide depth on kickoff returns for Sunday's game against the Raiders. Running back Ladell Betts, who has been the Redskins' primary kick returner this season, has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday.
Thrash remains second on the depth chart on kickoff returns and will likely see the bulk of action.
"Rich has worked extremely hard for us," Gibbs said. "We've been looking for him to do some things for us. It'll be interesting to see if he can, and to see how he does. I think we'll look at giving him some time on kickoff returns."
Parson, who spent the first 10 weeks on the Redskins' practice squad, is excited to play in his first NFL regular-season game. The University of Maryland product received word of his call-up on Friday.
"It's really exciting because I'm still in the same area [with the University of Maryland] and the fan base is still the same," Parsons said. "I got the opportunity of a lifetime. I got my degree [at Maryland] and I was ready to get a job, but Coach Gibbs gave me the opportunity. Here I am. Hard work paid off."
Parson said he does not anticipate going overboard on providing friends and family with tickets to the game.
"I love my family and I want them to all be here," he said. "But right now, I'm so focused on playing the game, knowing my assignments and doing everything well. I have to keep a level head and be ready, because Coach Gibbs has a way of putting people in at unexpected moments."
