Washington Redskins defensive end Brian Orakpo and safety Brandon Meriweather will be held out of the team's final two preseason games, head coach Mike Shanahan said Monday. Orakpo sustained a left shoulder injury Saturday against the Chicago Bears and had to leave the game in the first quarter. Meriweather was also forced to leave the game with a left knee injury.

Both players are expected to be healthy by the start of the regular season. An MRI taken of Orakpo's shoulder revealed no serious damage and agent Ben Dogra was confident that his client would be ready for the Redskins' Sept. 9 opener against the New Orleans Saints. Meriweather's knee injury also isn't considered serious. Shanahan confirmed that neither player will need surgery.

The news will come as a relief to Redskins fans, and also as a relief to Orakpo, who initially thought his injury was more severe.

#Redskins Orakpo on injury "I'm very optimistic about it, the injury wasn't as significant as what we originally thought" MRI came back neg.

— Sky Kerstein (@SkyKerstein) August 20, 2012

#Redskins LB Orakpo on his left pec: "I thought I re-tore it" ... says he's feeling good.bit.ly/NXEFiu

— John Keim (@john_keim) August 20, 2012

If soreness is the only problem either player has going forward, then Washington dodged a major bullet. With just three weeks until the games actually matter, expect coaching staffs around the league to begin clamping down on their starters.

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