National Football League

Redskins LG Lichtensteiger likely out until opener

Published Jul. 31, 2012 12:17 a.m. ET

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The Washington Redskins couldn't make it through four training camp practices without suffering major injuries.

Starting left guard Kory Lichtensteiger underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday to remove loose particles from his right knee and is expected to be out until the Sept. 9 opener at New Orleans.

Also, backup inside linebacker Jonathan Goff is out for the year after tearing his right ACL during practice July 28. Goff was sidelined for all of 2011 with the same injury while with the New York Giants.

''It was really a shame because he's come in here and worked so hard to make this football team,'' coach Mike Shanahan said. ''I was really pulling for him. He's a class individual, a guy's guy, very intelligent, a very hard worker. He'll come back and fight and hopefully next year he'll be able to play.''

Lichtensteiger missed the final 11 games of 2011 with a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee. Shanahan said those ligaments are fine.

''Under normal circumstances, he might be able to come back (for) that third preseason game,'' said Shanahan. ''He's been close to 100 percent even in OTA days. Hopefully he'll be ready for the first game. ''

Maurice Hurt, who started eight of the final nine games in Lichtensteiger's place last season, and third-round draft choice Josh LeRibeus, will split time at left guard in his absence during the preseason.

''You have to be very patient with Kory because you don't want to lose (him) for the season,'' Shanahan said. ''Sometimes (injuries) happen at one position. That's why you need depth. We do have some.''

Tyler Polumbus, who started three of the final four games of 2011 at right tackle in place of the ailing Jammal Brown has been starting there in camp. Brown, who's on the physically unable to perform list with a chronically troublesome left hip, is scheduled to be evaluated by his doctor Tuesday.

The Redskins replaced Goff on the roster with veteran offensive tackle Jordan Black. Black, a two-year starter with Kansas City who has also spent time with Houston and Jacksonville, was in camp with New Orleans last summer.

The long term losses of Goff and Lichtenstieger weren't the only injuries that hit the Redskins, who also lost starting fullback Darrel Young to a hamstring injury Monday.

''Hopefully, it's not too long,'' Shanahan said.

Willie Smith, who started the final three games last season at left tackle, twisted his left knee during a pass-rush drill. The 2011 rookie free agent said he was fine but was scheduled to have an MRI.

Receiver Josh Morgan, whom Washington signed from San Francisco on the first day of free agency in March to compete with long-time starter Santana Moss, left practice with muscle cramping.

Free safety Tanard Jackson, who had been on the PUP list with a strained calf, was activated Monday. However, under the collective bargaining agreement signed last year, he's not eligible to practice until Thursday.

Shanahan said that although Jackson wasn't with Washington in 2011, his work in the spring shouldn't make missing the first week of camp a huge setback in his competition with fellow free agent pickup Madieu Williams and holdover DeJon Gomes.

Reserve running back Tristan Davis remains on PUP list with a swollen knee but Shanahan is hopeful that he'll be activated this week.

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