Department of Bad News: Chad Rinehart

Done

Ladell Betts was not the only Redskin to be lost for the season two weeks ago in game ten against Dallas, Redskins second year right guard Chad Rinehart suffered a broken right fibula early in the third quarter, he too was placed on the injured reserve list on Monday 23 November 2009 and will miss the final six games of the season, he was rolled in the pile after a play.

The fibula, or calf bone, is there mainly to serve as an attachment for musculature and does not support weight. As such it is considerably more fragile than its partner, the tibia or shin bone.

After 33 year old right guard Randy Thomas tore a triceps in game two against the St. Louis Rams, Chad, a third round draft pick in 2008, stepped in and started two games, a bad loss at the Lions and a meager win against the Buccaneers, former 400 pound man Mike Williams then started one game, a loss against the Panthers, thereafter head coach Jim Zorn opened up a competition between Chad and fifth year free agent Will Montgomery, Will ultimately won and Chad was demoted to the inactive list by all accounts Chad took the demotion very hard, an anonymous NFL talent evaluator even going so far as to call Chad quote just a guy unquote.

Will started three games, all losses, before offensive line coach Joe Bugel lobbied the coaching staff to give Chad another chance, Chad got the start at right guard against Denver and helped to propel promoted tailback Ladell Betts to 114 yards.

All of Redskinsland was united in joy, even if a limited type of joy, that the same five offensive linemen would be starting the next game at Dallas, and in that game Chad was injured.

The surgery to repair this injury is routine and Chad should be back and ready to go for the 2010 season.

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Rookie reserve fullback Eddie Williams was also moved to injured reserve Monday (op. cit.), he broke a fibula Friday in practice, Eddie was a practice squad player and was promoted to the roster to provide blocking and pass catching support in the absence of tight end Chris Cooley, he was never active in a game.



Chad Rinehart: AP Photo from here.