Junior Galette's tenure as a pass rushing linebacker for the Washington Redskins doesn't seem to have gotten off on the right foot - literally. Galette, who signed a one-year deal with the Redskins in late July, went down with an ankle injury during Redskins training camp practice on Wednesday, per multiple reports. The early diagnosis is not good, as Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN reports that the team believes Galette tore his Achilles tendon, which would, of course, put him on the shelf for the duration of the 2015 NFL season. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com added that the team believes the injury is "potentially very serious."
Galette, cut by the New Orleans Saints amid numerous reports of locker room dysfunction and Galette's own various legal issues, was signed by the Redskins as part of new GM Scot McLoughan's seeming second-chance tour. McLoughan did a lot of bargain-bin shopping this offseason in his early attempts to create depth on the Washington roster and help turn around a team that hasn't won a playoff game since 2005.
Possible character issues aside, Galette certainly represented a significant upgrade for the depth at the Redskins' pass-rushing linebacker spot. With oft-injured former first-round pick Brian Orakpo off to Tennessee in free agency, the Skins needed to add another body to fill out the spots behind franchise pillar Ryan Kerrigan and lumbering 'backer Trent Murphy. While Galette's deal was only for one-year, Albert Breer of NFL.com notes that the Redskins have right of first refusal meaning they can keep him for 2016 if they want.
A former undrafted free agent out of Stillman, the 27-year-old Galette signed with the Saints in 2010 and immediately made his mark as a special teamer. He broke out in 2013 to the tune of 50 tackles, 12 sacks, three passes defensed and two fumble recoveries and followed that up with a strong 2014, collecting 58 tackles, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and an astounding two forced safeties. Despite being handed a four-year, $41.5 million extension just prior to last season, the Saints chose to part ways with Galette earlier this offseason, making him free to sign on with McLoughan and the Skins.
