Ryan Kerrigan Injury: Updates on Redskins Star's Groin and Return

Washington Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan was forced out against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 26 due to a groin injury. It is uncertain when he will be ready to return to the field. 

Continue for updates. 

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Kerrigan Out vs. Buccaneers

Wednesday, Aug. 31

The Redskins announced Kerrigan did not travel with the team for Wednesday night's preseason game against Tampa Bay.

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Latest on Kerrigan's Practice Status

Monday, Aug. 29

Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post reported Kerrigan was undergoing rehab during Monday's session.

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Latest on Kerrigan's Testing

Saturday, Aug. 27

John Keim of ESPN reported Kerrigan's MRI revealed good news, and it's unclear at this time whether he'll be held out of practice.

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Redskins Need Kerrigan Healthy for Playoff Push

Kerrigan, 28, a first-round pick by Washington in 2011, has started every game in his career. The former Purdue star has become one of the NFL's best pass-rushers during that span, racking up 47.5 sacks in his first five seasons. 

If Washington loses Kerrigan for any length of time, Willie Jefferson is listed as the backup weak-side linebacker on the team's official depth chart. Jefferson was an undrafted free agent in 2013 who signed with the Redskins in January. 

However, given Kerrigan's value as a pass-rusher and the plays he opens up for Washington's other linebackers, the team will struggle to replace its defensive leader's production.

This is not a deep or dominant defense, so losing a consistent high-caliber player like Kerrigan really stings. Things will be considerably more difficult without a dominant edge-rusher to attack the opposing quarterback. 

Kerrigan's limited injury history does give Washington reason to be optimistic that he will make it through this scare without being out of the lineup for a significant period of time.