Rookie Jenkins moves on with season over

Jarvis Jenkins smiled as he chatted with teammates outside the Washington Redskins‘ locker room Monday. The wrap on his injured right knee is something he has accepted.

His rookie season has been lost to a torn ACL, which he suffered Thursday against Baltimore, but he’s determined to move forward.

“There definitely was a grieving process, but after the first 24 hours I just had to face it,” he said. “There’s nothing I can do about it now. I can’t feel sorry for myself. I’ve just got to go back to work.”

That means doing strengthening exercises in preparation for ligament reconstruction surgery Wednesday or Thursday.

“He already is working on leg strength,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “That gives you an idea of the mindset of the guy we’re dealing with.”

Jenkins oozed promise during his first training camp. The second-round pick out of Clemson was quick and powerful off the ball. He collapsed the pocket during preseason games and held his ground against the run when he maintained proper leverage.

His absence will hurt the Redskins‘ defense, but Jenkins is determined to minimize the damage it does to his development. He’ll attend team meetings all season to make sure he’s comfortable with the scheme when he resumes football activities next year.

Jenkins never has had a knee injury before, so he consulted with former Clemson teammate Da’Quan Bowers and former Redskins teammate Robert Henson about what to expect from the rehabilitation process.

“It’s going to be tough sometimes, but I’ve just got to block that out,” he said. “I can handle pain, so that’s the main part I’m not worried about.”

Landry hopeful for opener

Strong safety LaRon Landry (hamstring) did not practice Monday, but he remains optimistic that he’ll be able to play against the New York Giants in Week 1.

Just don’t mention the possibility of him remaining on the physically-unable-to-perform list through the start of the regular season.

“Don’t even ask me that,” he said. “Definitely no. Not going to happen. Why should I? I think I’ll be ready. I’m making a lot of positive strides, and I think I’ll be ready for Sept. 11.”

Landry would have to miss the first six games of the regular season if he does not come off the PUP list by the first game. Shanahan, however, said he expects to bring Landry off the list in time because a hamstring injury doesn’t take six weeks to heal.

Landry is eager to start practicing, but it will be a while before the injury is completely behind him.

Story Continues →

© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.