Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington is pushing to return for Sunday's game with Baltimore, although the Redskins medical staff does not expect him to be able to play as he recovers from minor surgery on his right knee on Sept. 23.
Arrington was not with the team for its last game in Cleveland, returning home to Pittsburgh for the funeral of his teenage cousin, Joseph Arrington. He said he is dedicating the rest of his season to his cousin, who has been an inspiration to the Pro Bowl player.
LaVar Arrington, who is dedicating the rest of the season to his recently deceased cousin, is pushing to return from knee surgery ahead of schedule for Sunday's game.
(Nick Wass -- AP)
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"I'm going to tear this league up when I get back," Arrington said when leaving Redskins Park yesterday, echoing a sentiment he said he shared with Joseph Arrington just before he passed away from prostate cancer. Joseph Arrington had the disease diagnosed in 2002, when he was 15, and LaVar Arrington shaved off his dreadlocks during training camp that summer in a show of solidarity for his cousin, who was undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Arrington is active in many charitable causes, particularly for sick and underprivileged children, and was close with Joseph.
Arrington has missed the past two games after having the meniscus repaired in his right knee, and he was originally scheduled to miss about four weeks. But with the Redskins losing three straight games and facing a daunting opponent, Arrington said he is doing anything possible to get back on the field.
Should Arrington not be able to play against Baltimore, it may be wise for him to miss the following game at Chicago as well, as the Redskins then head into the bye week, allowing another two weeks to heal. But that scenario does not appeal to Arrington at this point.
"In my mind, I'm pushing for this Sunday," Arrington said. "But strategically, from a strategic standpoint, I'm saying I ain't going to be able to play. But my whole frame of thought is, I'm trying to get back as soon as I can. The mind is a powerful thing, so I don't see why I can't pull it off."
With Arrington likely out and right defensive tackle Phillip Daniels (torn right groin) also likely to miss the game with the Ravens, the Redskins could have problems on that side of their line. Baltimore loves to run 2,000-yard rusher Jamal Lewis, one of the most bruising backs in the NFL, behind the left side of its line, with perennial Pro Bowl tackle Jonathan Ogden and 345-pound guard Edwin Mulitalo stationed there. Washington has been rotating journeymen ends Ron Warner and Demetric Evans in Daniels's spot and filling in for Arrington with inexperienced linebacker Lemar Marshall.
Middle linebacker Mike Barrow, who has not practiced fully since Aug. 7 because of a tendon tear in his left knee, visited another specialist yesterday and it again is unlikely he will play this week.
The Redskins were off yesterday and resume practice today.
Hixon's Son Transferred to Va. Hospital
Drew Hixon, son of assistant coach Stan Hixon, has been transported from Florida to the Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center at the University of Virginia.
Hixon, a wide receiver at Tennessee Tech, has been unconscious since a helmet-to-helmet collision in a game with South Florida on Sept. 11.
His father returned to work last week after taking nearly three weeks' leave to be with his son.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
