A trying opener for Tryon

BALTIMORE | All the progress that Washington Redskins second-year cornerback Justin Tryon made during the first two weeks of training camp seemingly was wiped out in the first quarter of Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

Tryon, who had been one of the stars during practice and the scrimmage after an ugly rookie summer, was burned badly on Baltimore’s second drive.

The series began with wideout Derrick Mason beating Tryon for 7 yards. Tryon backed way off on the next play, so receiver Kelley Washington took advantage for an easy 16-yard pickup. Later, on third-and-9, Washington torched Tryon for 15 more yards.

On the following third-and-5, it was Marcus Smith’s turn to beat Tryon along the Redskins’ sideline for 9 yards and another first down. That play set up a 37-yard field goal by Steve Hauschka, which gave the Ravens a 6-0 lead with 12:30 left in the first half.

Fellow 2008 pick Fred Davis added his own gaffes by fumbling twice as the Redskins were driving late in the second quarter. Davis recovered his first bobble but lost his second one, costing Washington a chance to get on the scoreboard.

Rookie excitement

While most of the Redskins’ veterans greeted the start of preseason with a yawn, the rookies were genuinely excited.

“It’s a special feeling,” said linebacker Brian Orakpo, whom the Redskins chose 13th in April’s draft. “I’m going to treat it like it’s a regular-season game.”

Orakpo, the only rookie starter, was a standout during camp but wasn’t a factor during his first two series in Baltimore. He did draw a holding penalty on left tackle Oniel Cousins that ended the Ravens’ third possession, and he just missed sacking Troy Smith in the final minute of the first half.

Cornerback Kevin Barnes, Washington’s third-round choice, made his college debut for Maryland in the same stadium against Navy in 2005. His first NFL game didn’t go as well as that Terps victory. Barnes was beaten by Justin Harper for a 13-yard grab that set up Harper’s 19-yard touchdown, which helped Baltimore to a 13-0 halftime lead.

Linebacker Robert Henson, Washington’s sixth-rounder, expected he would have to calm himself as kickoff approached. Henson, who dropped a sure interception in the third quarter, had another reason to be excited: His wife, Sarah, will have labor induced Saturday if their first child, whom they’ve named McKenzie, isn’t born by then.

Defensive end J.D. Skolnitsky, the rookie defensive end from Fairfax High School and James Madison, recorded Washington’s first sack in the third quarter.

Absences and injuries

The Redskins rested defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, running back Clinton Portis, top receiver Santana Moss (hamstring), cornerback Carlos Rogers (calf) and longtime starting guard Randy Thomas (knee).

Backup defensive tackle Lorenzo Alexander suffered an abdominal strain during the first half and didn’t return. Reserve offensive tackle Mike Williams left with the same ailment in the third quarter. Doug Dutch, a rookie free agent cornerback from Gonzaga High School, left the game in the fourth quarter with an injured hamstring.

Offensive tackle Scott Burley, a rookie free agent from Maryland, strained his knee in the fourth quarter and didn’t return.

Welcome back

Washington defensive ends Phillip Daniels and Alex Buzbee played for the first time since suffering season-ending injuries on the first day of training camp last year.

Daniels nearly intercepted a pass deflected by Andre Carter on Baltimore’s first play.

Jerome’s brother?

Running back Ladell Betts’ last name was spelled “Bettis” on his No. 46 jersey.

The goof followed the mangling of defensive tackle Michael Marquardt’s name into “Marquant” on his jersey for his first practice of training camp.