Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo left Saturday night's preseason contest against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field late in the first quarter after suffering an apparent shoulder injury while attempting a lunging tackle on Bears wide receiver Devin Hester.
— Redskins (@Redskins) August 19, 2012
#Redskins OLB Brian Orakpo's status has been downgraded to OUT for the remainder of the game. This is not a surprise in preseason action.
Doc Walker just reported that Orakpo has a left shoulder strain, from the sidelines. I believe that is what
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania980) August 19, 2012#Redskins officials told him.
Hester caught a pass from quarterback Jay Cutler and ran through Orakpo's arm tackle for an 18-yard gain to Chicago's 38-yard-line with 3:50 to play in the quarter.
Orakpo, who had offseason surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle suffered during the team's final game of the 2011 season, lay writhing on the field for a few moments but walked off under his own power. He reportedly had his shoulder wrapped with ice while he sat on the sidelines.
The Redskins can ill afford a significant injury to Orakpo, who along with second-year linebacker Ryan Kerrigan is expected to form the backbone of a defense being counted on to help ease prized rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III into the NFL.
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