Strong safety Brandon Meriweather still has one more game remaining on his suspension, and after Bacarri Rambo struggled mightily in the tackling department yet again on Sunday, Redskins coaches could turn to Duke Ihenacho.
Washington claimed the former Denver Bronco starter off waivers on Aug. 31, and he spent last week trying to learn defensive coordinator Jim Haslett’s system. Ihenacho – a third-year pro, who recorded 73 tackles and three forced fumbles last season before Denver’s signing of Pro Bowl free agent T.J. Ward this offseason displaced him – played only five snaps on special teams in Washington’s season opener, and none on defense.
Meanwhile, Rambo got the nod at strong safety, but drew the ire of coaches when he made a feeble tackle attempt of DeAndre Hopkins, and instead of stopping the wide receiver for a 40-yard reception, allowed him to run the remaining 36 yards untouched for a 76-yard touchdown.
Fed up with Rambo’s tackling woes, which have carried over from his rookie season despite claims that he had greatly improved over the offseason and preseason, coaches plan to get Ihenacho coached up this week so they can try him in the starting lineup.
“I hope so,” coach Jay Gruden said when asked if Ihenacho now knew enough to take on a larger role. “Rambo had that big play obviously that we flubbed up on. I think Duke, with another week of practice, will be ready to give us some production on defense and on special teams, more so than he did obviously this week.”
Although Ihenacho still is learning, coaches like his ability. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett last week described Ihenacho as a smart player and fast learner. The coach also said that there http://www.broncosofficialnflonline.com/ERIC-DECKER-JERSEY-CHEAP.html were some similarities in the way the Redskins and Broncos use their safeties, and so that carryover was helping Ihenacho’s transition.
Meriweather will be reinstated by the league on Sept. 15. The NFL on Aug. 25 slapped him with a two-game suspension because during the preseason he again violated the league’s rules on helmet-to-helmet hits when he laid out Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith in the third exhibition game.
That represented the sixth such violation of the rule by Meriweather, who has received hefty fines and last season served a one-game suspension for illegal hits to the head. The eighth-year veteran appealed his latest punishment, but Ted Cottrell, the appeals officer jointly appointed by the NFL and NFL Players Association, denied the appeal, upholding the suspension.
Meriweather has not been allowed to be on team property or have contact with members of the organization.