Washington Redskins defensive end Jason Taylor on Monday will undergo a “minor” procedure on his surgically repaired left calf, leaving his status uncertain for the Nov. 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Taylor didn’t practice the past two days, but coach Jim Zorn said the six-time Pro Bowl player is expected to play for a third straight game when the Redskins face the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
“We’re going to do a very small lance to make sure that it’s draining properly, making sure that it’s not going to create that compartment syndrome again,” Zorn said. “We can’t get the thing healed right, so the bye week is going to help him.”
Zorn called the procedure “minor” but said it could affect Taylor’s availability for the Monday-night matchup with the Steelers. The Redskins’ bye is the following week.
Taylor underwent emergency surgery on his calf on Sept. 22 to relieve compartment syndrome, a condition marked by a sudden and dangerous buildup of fluid. He had a checkup on Thursday to determine whether the calf was infected.
“There has been talk about [the procedure], but I don’t even know what the game plan is right now,” Taylor said. “I’m going to the hospital now to find out what we’re going to do. … I’ve been hurt for a month and it hasn’t changed. There’s been a slight change, and that’s part of the reason why we’re doing all this talking. I really don’t know any details.”
Taylor, who played 130 straight games for the Miami Dolphins before he was traded to the Redskins on July 20, already has missed two games this season because of his calf.
Disappointing homecoming
Devin Thomas has watched rookie receivers make an impact for opposing teams: Donnie Avery caught a big pass to help the St. Louis Rams beat the Redskins and DeSean Jackson returned a punt for a touchdown for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The highlight so far this season for Thomas is a little less inspiring: He made a tackle on a punt.
“Devin ran [Cleveland’s Josh Cribbs] down,” Zorn said. “He just decided this was his niche, and he was going to do a great job with what he was asked to do and not worry about what he wasn’t getting to do. He had his best game, and he didn’t catch a pass.”
Thomas appreciated the compliment, but the Ann Arbor, Mich., native and Michigan State product is disappointed to be returning home for Sunday’s game against the Lions with just four catches for 40 yards in seven games.
Thomas, chosen 34th overall in April’s draft, missed three weeks of training camp with a pulled hamstring and has never threatened veterans Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El and James Thrash for playing time.
“I felt like they drafted me to be an impact receiver, but I had the setback with my injury,” Thomas said. “I feel like I’m in a groove now. I’m making [fewer] mistakes mentally, but everything’s working out fine [for the Redskins] so why change it? I just gotta swallow my pride and do what I gotta do.”
Receivers coach Stan Hixon hasn’t lost faith in Thomas.
“Devin’s much improved,” Hixon said. “His best game was two weeks ago against St. Louis. He had like 20 snaps. He was where he was supposed to be. He ran good routes. He did a good job blocking. Missing that time in camp hurt him, [but] he’s ready to make plays.”
Montgomery to start
Anthony Montgomery will start at defensive tackle for the first time this year because of the absence of the Cornelius Griffin, who won’t play because of a sprained shoulder.
“It’s a chance to show that they can trust me to start and play well,” said Montgomery, who started last season and figures he’ll get 15 more snaps than he normally does as the third tackle behind Griffin and Kedric Golston.
Four starters return
Running back Clinton Portis (hip), cornerbacks Carlos Rogers (calf) and Fred Smoot (groin) and safety Chris Horton (ankle) returned to practice on Friday. Offensive tackle Chris Samuels was absent for personal reasons but will be in the lineup Sunday.
Taylor, Portis and safety LaRon Landry, who was held out Friday with a sore hamstring, are all listed as questionable.
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