Redskins Sign OLB Everette Brown; Place Orakpo on IR

The reports came yesterday that Brian Orakpo's MRI had revealed a torn pectoral muscle, the 3rd in his NFL career.  It was also reported yesterday that Orakpo would need surgery which would land him on Injured Reserve, and end his season and possibly his time with the Redskins.  Now the team has made it official, placing Orakpo on IR, and signing veteran OLB Everette Brown to fill the open roster spot and provide depth at OLB and special teams.

Brown was signed by the Redskins earlier this year to replace 2013 5th round draft pick Brandon Jenkins who was struggling in camp.  Brown was out of football at the time of his signing, running a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise in Charlotte, North Carolina, when the call came from the Redskins for a workout.  Brown played well in preseason, and many, including myself thought that Brown would get the last roster spot over Gabe Miller.  Miller ended up winning the spot and Brown was not signed by another team after being released by the Redskins, and he does not have practice squad eligibility.  Now, Gabe Miller is on the practice squad and Everette Brown once again got that call to return to the NFL.  Brown has history with OLB coach Brian Baker who coached him when they were both with the Carolina Panthers in 2010 and 2011.

Brown will serve as the 4th OLB on the roster behind starters Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Murphy, and rookie backup Jackson Jeffcoat who was just signed from the practice squad recently.  There were several other former Redskins who had been mentioned as possibilities to fill the spot.  Rob Jackson was Orakpo's replacement the last time he tore his pec in 2012, and was on the short list of candidates.  Also Gabe Miller was mentioned by Coach Gruden as a possibility, but he will stay on the practice squad for now.

Tying up loose ends: Yes, Everette Brown was managing his Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise in Charlotte when the #Redskins called him.

— Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) October 22, 2014