Mason Foster expected to start at inside linebacker against Cowboys
The Washington Redskins will experience another lineup change at inside linebacker: Because of a foot injury that will sideline Perry Riley Jr. for three to six weeks, Mason Foster is expected receive his first start this season Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
While Foster hasn?t been relied upon in a starting role before with the Redskins, the fifth-year linebacker wasn?t always a backup, starting 54 of 57 games over four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Foster had five career interceptions, two defensive touchdowns and 12 passes defended during that stretch.
?I?ve been prepared for this because I knew being around a little bit, playing a couple of years, I know how quickly something can happen and you?re the next guy up,? Foster said. ?People outside, people upstairs and the coaches don?t want to see no let-off. Don?t flinch, like coach [Joe Barry] says, so keep pushing forward and keep going.?
Foster was one of the final cuts by the Chicago Bears before the season began. He didn?t sign with the Redskins until Week 4, when the team was lacking depth at the position. With injuries to Riley and Keenan Robinson, who will be questionable with a shoulder injury, it looks as if Foster will finally receive another opportunity to prove his worth in the NFL.
?He?s prepared and he?s ready to go,? Redskins Coach Jay Gruden said. ?He?s a good linebacker.?
Foster is one of a number of backups whom the Redskins have had to rely upon this season because of injuries, particularly in the secondary. Through it all, Foster said, the coaching staff has done a solid job of preparing the backups each week.
?Even when I was only getting a couple of reps preparing throughout the week to play certain positions, I was still competing at a high level on the scout team going against [Jordan] Reed, going against Matt Jones and everybody,? Foster said. ?So you?re ready to play.?
The Washington Redskins will experience another lineup change at inside linebacker: Because of a foot injury that will sideline Perry Riley Jr. for three to six weeks, Mason Foster is expected receive his first start this season Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
While Foster hasn?t been relied upon in a starting role before with the Redskins, the fifth-year linebacker wasn?t always a backup, starting 54 of 57 games over four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Foster had five career interceptions, two defensive touchdowns and 12 passes defended during that stretch.
?I?ve been prepared for this because I knew being around a little bit, playing a couple of years, I know how quickly something can happen and you?re the next guy up,? Foster said. ?People outside, people upstairs and the coaches don?t want to see no let-off. Don?t flinch, like coach [Joe Barry] says, so keep pushing forward and keep going.?
Foster was one of the final cuts by the Chicago Bears before the season began. He didn?t sign with the Redskins until Week 4, when the team was lacking depth at the position. With injuries to Riley and Keenan Robinson, who will be questionable with a shoulder injury, it looks as if Foster will finally receive another opportunity to prove his worth in the NFL.
?He?s prepared and he?s ready to go,? Redskins Coach Jay Gruden said. ?He?s a good linebacker.?
Foster is one of a number of backups whom the Redskins have had to rely upon this season because of injuries, particularly in the secondary. Through it all, Foster said, the coaching staff has done a solid job of preparing the backups each week.
?Even when I was only getting a couple of reps preparing throughout the week to play certain positions, I was still competing at a high level on the scout team going against [Jordan] Reed, going against Matt Jones and everybody,? Foster said. ?So you?re ready to play.?
