Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, left, talks to defensive end Jason Hatcher, who sat out practice during Day 2 of the Redskins’ minicamp at Redskins Park. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post)
Redskins defensive end Jason Hatcher has to have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. He expects a four- to six-week recovery time.
Hatcher experienced some swelling and soreness in his knee and didn’t take part in this week’s minicamp. He had an MRI exam done on his knee, and said that he must have the procedure to clean out some cartilage. Redskins coach Jay Gruden, like Hatcher, said that the level of concern isn’t high.
“We don’t feel like it’s a long-term thing, but any time you have a surgery, there’s a little bit of a concern, but the severity of it is not that great,” Gruden said. “It’s just a clean-him-up type thing. There’s no major damage.”
Hatcher will have his surgery done by Dr. James Andrews on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters after watching Wednesday’s practice, Hatcher said, “I don’t want to go into the season 80 percent. I want to be 100 [percent], so I can be the best Hatch for this football team, for this defense.”
The Redskins this spring signed Hatcher, 31, away from the Dallas Cowboys, giving him a four-year, $27.5 million contract with $10.5 million guaranteed. All of that $10.5 million guaranteed salary comes to Hatcher this season. Hatcher, who spent the previous eight seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys, last year recorded 11 sacks – a career high – along with two forced fumbles and three pass deflections.
The Redskins report for training camp on July 23 – five weeks from now – with the first practice taking place the following day.
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