Before the play was over, Redskins right tackle Jon Jansen had yanked his helmet off and rolled over in pain. It soon became apparent why. He had broken his right fibula and dislocated his right ankle, likely ending his season.
Jansen will be evaluated again Monday and said last night via e-mail that he’d likely have surgery Wednesday or Thursday. He was hurt in the second quarter when, while pass protecting, he fell backwards over another player as he was engaged with linebacker Zach Thomas.
“That’s a tough loss, man,” Redskins right guard Randy Thomas said.
But it didn’t end the Redskins’ hopes for the day, thanks in part to rookie undrafted free agent Stephon Heyer. All he had to do was something he’d never done: play right tackle in a game. Before Friday’s practice, he’d never even worked at the position. But the Redskins made veteran Todd Wade inactive Sunday, leaving Heyer as the backup tackle.
“I never thought I would go out there,” said Heyer, who started four preseason games at left tackle. “It was an adjustment I slowly made on the fly and made things happen.”
Said center Casey Rabach, “He didn’t give up any sacks and that’s all you can ask of the kid.”
Line coach Joe Bugel said they would make a decision Thursday as to who will start vs. Philadelphia.
Jansen missed the 2004 season with an Achilles injury and played hurt all of 2005 with thumb injuries.
“He’s the face of the line and a real leader,” Rabach said.
