The Washington Redskins' best defensive player, Brian Orakpo, left Saturday night's preseason game against the Chicago Bears in the first quarter with what coach Mike Shanahan said was an injury to the pectoral muscle that the linebacker hurt last season, according to Grant Paulsen of WJFK-FM.
The Redskins initially said Orakpo was questionable to return to the game, but they quickly downgraded him to out. Orakpo suffered the injury while trying to make an arm tackle on Bears wide receiver Devin Hester. Trainers examined Orakpo on the sideline and wrapped his shoulder.
Orakpo suffered a torn left pectoral muscle in Week 17 of last season, but otherwise has been durable during his NFL career. He has missed only one game. We'd argue there isn't a defender the Redskins could afford to lose less.
Soon after Orakpo's injury, the Redskins potentially lost another starter. Safety Brandon Meriweather had to be helped off the field with a left knee injury and didn't return.
UPDATE: Orakpo is scheduled to undergo an MRI examine on his injured shoulder Sunday, according to an ESPN report. The injury is not believed to be serious.
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