After riding high from their week one win against the New Orleans's Saints, the Washington Redskins have crashed back to earth after losing to the St. Louis Rams 31-28 on Sunday.
But the team lost more than just the game after finding out that two star defensive players will be lost for the season. On Monday the team announced that Brian Orakpo and Adam Carriker sustained injuries against the Rams and will be out for the year.
Orakpo, a two-time Pro Bowl selection at linebacker, tore a pectoral muscle in his left shoulder, while Carriker, a defensive end, tore the quad tendon in his right knee.
Orakpo was drafted out of the University of Texas as the 13th overall pick in the 2009 draft and has molded himself into one of the best defensive players in the league.
He was selected as a reserve in the Pro Bowl for his rookie season, in which he had 50 tackles and 11 sacks. The following season he had 56 tackles, 8.5 sacks and a forced fumble while making his second Pro Bowl.
Last season he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for week four of the season and finished with 9 sacks and an alternate Pro Bowl selection.
"He's obviously everything you look for in a Pro Bowl player," coach Mike Shanahan said. "And we'll miss him."
Carriker has spent six years in the NFL, including the last three with Washington. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2007 and was able to adjust to the Redskins 3-4 defense when was traded to the team. He signed a four-year $20 million contract with Washington earlier this year.
Carriker will face up to five months of rehabilitation for his injury. Last season Orakpo suffered a tear in the same shoulder, but had surgery on a different part of the muscle. He faces up to four months of recovery time following surgery.
The Redskins will use Chris Wilson and Rob Jackson to replace Orakpo, while Jarvis Jenkins, who missed last year with a knee injury, will replace Carriker.
"A real big opportunity," Jenkins said. "Coming off the knee injury, I get a chance to prove I'm a hard worker and just make plays."
To make up for the two roster spots, the Redskins brought in Doug Worthington, who was promoted from the practice squad, and linebacker Markus White.
The injuries weaken an already struggling Washington defense that allowed over 800 yards and 63 points in the first two games of the season.
Quarterback Robert Griffin III has been a revelation for the Redskins and will have to shoulder the load as they move forward in 2012.
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