With linebacker Brian Orakpo sidelined for the season, the Redskins plan to use three players to fill the void, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said Thursday.
Haslett said he intends to use Rob Jackson, Chris Wilson and Markus White in the hopes that three backups will equal one two-time Pro Bowler.
“Rak’s going to be hard to replace because he’s a great player, but I feel good between Rob Jackson, Chris Wilson and Markus White – and we’ll work all three of them – that they can make it up,” Haslett said.
He added: “Maybe they won’t play at Rak’s level, but they can be efficient in certain areas. We’ll have to do different things … to help with the pass rush.”
Will he rotate them? Use one more significantly more than the others? Play to their strengths? Haslett was not specific about how he intends to deploy the trio. But this much is clear: they’re on an even playing field when it comes to experience.
None of the three, in fact, has ever made an NFL start. (The player they’re replacing, in case you’re wondering, has made 49.)
It’s also unclear which of the backups will start Sunday against Bengals. But it should be noted that Jackson is listed atop the depth chart at right outside linebacker in the media notes.
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