ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins' defense has been hurt by injuries, both to starters and players they anticipated to be key backups. They're still seventh overall in total yards per game (but 24th in points per game).
The majority of the injuries have occurred to backups; some have a greater impact than others. Here's a look at the players who have gotten hurt this season:
LB Brian Orakpo
What happened: Tore his right pectoral muscle this past Sunday and is out for the season.
Impact: Orakpo has quite his share of critics and it's hard to contend he's anything other than a good linebacker. But he was still good and he'll be replaced by a rookie, Trent Murphy, who has yet to show a whole lot -- and now has to be more than just an occasional pass-rusher. Yes, Orakpo needed to record more sacks and make plays. But the Redskins now have two inexperienced players on that side in Murphy and Jackson Jeffcoat.
What happened: Tore his Achilles' tendon in Week 3 and is out for the season.
Impact: The Redskins lost a good corner, and their most comfortable defensive back in press coverage. Bashaud Breeland might be a quality starter in the future, but for now he's a rookie enduring growing pains. Hall had given up some plays in his first three games, but his savvy is missed.
What happened: Suffered a high ankle sprain in the season opener and can return after the bye week.
Impact: Chris Baker slid from end to nose tackle. He does what the coaches want, but the Redskins were better off with the combination of Baker at end and Cofield at tackle than the current setup.
LB Perry Riley
What happened: Suffered a sprained MCL and has missed the past two games.
Impact: Will Compton has filled in capably. Though he's not a playmaker, he executes his assignments. Riley has been a liability in zone coverage in particular; the organization was not unanimous in his return this past offseason. But there are things he does well -- he's fast and is a solid blitzer. However, he still has to prove he's part of their future plans.
What happened: Suffered a high ankle sprain in the preseason and was placed on injured reserve. He was eventually released with an injury settlement.
Impact: He would have been a backup inside linebacker and possible replacement for the injured Riley. However, it's not as if Compton has struggled in this role. Sharpton also was supposed to help special teams. They needed him there more than anywhere.
LB Akeem Jordan
What happened: Injured his knee in the preseason and was placed on injured reserve Saturday after appearing in just two games.
Impact: Mostly on special teams. Had Sharpton been healthy, Jordan was in danger of being cut before the season.
CB Tracy Porter
What happened: He was just working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery when he injured his hamstring in camp. He played in half a game, hurt it again and remains sidelined.
Impact: He would have served as the No. 3 corner -- he covered well in the slot for Oakland last season. Of course, that was the first time in his career he'd played in all 16 games. Without him, they had to move Breeland into the starting lineup after Hall was hurt and now E.J. Biggers is serving as their nickel corner. Biggers should not be a No. 3 covering in the slot. Porter hasn't been a Pro Bowler and durability has always been an issue -- so the fact he's hurt shouldn't be surprising -- but they're not better off with Biggers as the No.3.
NT Chris Neild
What happened: Tore his ACL in camp and is out for the season.
Impact: When Cofield went down, the Redskins had to shift Baker to nose tackle. It's a natural position for Baker, but, again, they like him even more at end. Neild is probably best playing around 10 snaps a game, but he's a legit nose tackle and even if they had shifted Baker over, they still needed a backup. They don't have a true backup nose right now.
