ASHBURN, Va. — Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has never missed an NFL game in his five-year career.
But after being traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Washington Redskins on Tuesday, the 25-year-old safety has a short turnaround to be ready for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. After all, he still has to learn the playbook and discuss his role with the coaches.
That’s a lot to absorb in just a few days. Could Clinton-Dix sit a week to get acclimated?
Don’t tell him that.
“Check this out,” he said. “I’ve got practice in about an hour. I came here to play. I came here to work, even if that’s on special teams or just helping contribute just any way I can. No. 20 is going to be suited up this weekend — and you can bet that.”
The Redskins acquired Clinton-Dix on Tuesday in exchange for a 2019 fourth-round pick. The safety has three interceptions and a forced fumble this season and made the Pro Bowl in 2016.
In his first remarks to reporters, he said he is excited to join the Redskins, noting he’s a big fan of the late Redskins great Sean Taylor.
“[Taylor’s] one of the best in the game,” said Clinton-Dix, who wore No. 21 in Green Bay because of Taylor. “He’s one of the best to ever play this game. And that’s just not for the money, but because of love for the game. He was a leader. He didn’t talk much, but led by example. And he set great examples. That’s someone you want to admire, someone you want to look up to, someone you want to feed off of.
“There’s no way I can be Sean Taylor, but he’s a guy that I look up to and model my game after him,” he said.
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