ASHBURN — Home in San Clemente, California since the start of training camp, Brian de la Puente continued to work out, hoping that by staying in shape, he’d get a phone call from a team interested in adding him to its active roster.
That happened on Tuesday, when the Washington Redskins signed de la Puente and placed Kory Lichtensteiger, their starting center, on short-term injured reserve with a pinched nerve in his neck.
“It was [a long offseason], but every day, I reminded myself that the opportunity is coming and I want to be ready,” de la Puente said. “I worked hard, and when the opportunity came, I was really excited about it, so I’m fired up to be here and ready to go.”
De la Puente bounced around four different teams during his first two years before latching on with the New Orleans Saints, with whom he started 44 games over three seasons. He signed with the Chicago Bears prior to last season and played in eight games, starting four at center and two at left guard, before going on injured reserve last November after tearing ligaments in his right ankle.
“He was great,” Saints quarterback Sean Payton said. “I loved Brian. He’s a really smart football player. He did a really great job for us. He was part of some really good offenses with us, and really, extremely dependable, a guy who I had a great rapport with.”
Coach Jay Gruden said it’s uncertain as to whether de la Puente will be ready to play against the Saints on Sunday, which would be a week shy of a year since he last appeared in a game. If he can’t, Josh LeRibeus, who made the transition from right guard to center during training camp, will make his fourth consecutive start.
“LeRibeus has done a nice job in the substitution of Kory, but you know, the snaps are a little awry,” Gruden said. “We’re trying to work on it and fix that issue, and Spencer Long’s never really played center, either, so we want to get a true center in here with Kory’s injury. That’s why we went out and got a veteran guy like de la Puente, and he’s got to pick it up quickly.”
De la Puente said his focus this week will be to learn the offense and be consistent. He hopes to be ready for Sunday, but won’t let that uncertainty change his preparation.
“I mean, let’s go,” de la Puente said. “It’s football. I’m ready to do it. It’s what I’ve been doing for eight years, so the opportunity — there’s no fear. It’s just, let’s go. I’m ready. I’m excited. When’s my flight?”
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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