Need to Know: Redskins sign DE Merling

Here is what you need to know on this Wednesday, January 9, 62 days before the start of NFL free agency.

Reconstructive surgery for RG3 but ready for opener

The main thing you need to know is that Chris Mortensen is reporting that Robert Griffin III will undergo reconstructive surgery on his right knee today. The good news is that the recovery time frame of 6-8 months means that should be ready for the start of the 2013 season.

Redskins sign DE Merling

The Redskins announced the signing of six player to futures contracts yesterday. Five of them were on the team’s practice squad last year. The other one is a 27-year-old former second-round draft pick who is a veteran of five NFL seasons.

The Dolphins took defensive end Phillip Merling out of Clemson with the 32^nd pick of the 2008 NFL draft (That was the first pick of the second round since the Patriots had forfeited their first-round pick due to the Spygate affair.). He started just five games in four years in Miami. He spent part of last year with the Packers, playing in three games.

Merling, 6-5, 315, will be 28 shortly after the start of training camp. He will compete for a role as a reserve defensive end.

Cousins’ still low profile

With the news that RG3 is going to be on the shelf for much of the offseason and perhaps the preseason, backup quarterback Kirk Cousins is likely to get more media attention between now and September. Perhaps some “die-hard” Redskins fans might even recognize him.

Cousins, who started one game and finished three others in place of the injured Griffin, tweeted the following yesterday from @KirkCousins8

Helmet must hide a lot: Wearin 'Skins shirt & dude asks if I've been a life-long fan. I say its been more recent & he tells me he's die-hard

— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) January 9, 2013

In case you missed it

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• Philip Rivers had a quick recovery from an ACL tear in 2008

Days until: Super Bowl XLVII 25; NFL Combine 43; start of NFL free agency 62; 2013 NFL kickoff 242