ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins return man Brandon Banks is expected to miss two to three weeks after having knee surgery during the bye week.
Coach Mike Shanahan said Monday that Banks was injured in last week's game against the Detroit Lions and felt sore after practice two days later. An MRI exam revealed a torn meniscus, and Banks had his operation Wednesday.
The undrafted rookie from Kansas State has been a spark plug for the special teams. He ranks third in the NFL in punt returns with a 13.8-yard average and ninth in kickoff returns with a 27.3-yard average. His long returns, including a 96-yard kickoff runback for a touchdown, directly led to 22 of Washington's points in the 37-25 loss to the Lions.
"It's definitely going to make our job harder getting blocks and stuff," said linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, one of the Redskins' top special teams players. "Because you don't always have to get the perfect block for a guy like that because he can outrun a lot of guys, so definitely a big hit for our special teams units."
The Redskins on Monday also placed backup safety Chris Horton on season-ending injured reserve due to a high ankle sprain. Safety Anderson Russell was promoted from the practice squad to take Horton's spot on the roster.
Washington also added safety Sha'reff Rashad and receiver Taurus Johnson to the practice squad and released receiver Ray Small from the practice squad.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
