Leonard Hankerson figured to provide the Washington Redskins one of few reasons for hope over the final seven games.
Not anymore.
Washington’s outlook went from bad to worse Monday with news the rookie wide receiver will be placed on the season-ending injured reserve list. He tore the labrum in his right hip in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 20-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Hankerson had eight catches for 106 yards in the game before he was injured. He was a rare bright spot on an otherwise inept offense.
“He’s got a big upside, as we saw yesterday,” coach Mike Shanahan said Monday. “I like the way he handles himself. I like the way he works. It’s a setback for him. He was devastated when he found out, but he’ll work through it.”
Hankerson, the 79th overall draft pick in April, will meet with specialists over the next week to determine whether surgery is required. The injury requires four months of rehabilitation, Shanahan said.
“Painful painful painful,” Hankerson wrote on his Twitter account Monday evening. “Hate to have to go down like this.”
He was hurt on a 9-yard reception over the middle. Dolphins safety Reshad Jones tackled him from behind. Hankerson’s hip subluxated, meaning it popped out of the joint and immediately slipped back in on its own. The labrum typically tears when that happens.
Hankerson was inactive for the first five games but started the past two. Against Miami, he became the first Redskins receiver this season to eclipse 100 yards in a game.
His rookie year concludes with 13 catches for 163 yards. Shanahan has not determined who will take his roster spot.
Grossman to start Sunday
Quarterback Rex Grossman’s play against Miami satisfied Shanahan enough for the coach to keep him as the starter for this Sunday’s game against Dallas.
“Everybody will say, well, we only had nine points,” Shanahan said. “But nine points obviously goes to a collective group. But I thought Rex played well.”
Grossman was 21-of-32 for 215 yards, two interceptions and a passer rating of 58.7.
Shanahan dodged a question asking whether he would have replaced John Beck with Grossman sooner if Grossman hadn’t come down with pneumonia Oct. 21.
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