#Redskins OLB Trent Murphy is facing a 4-game suspension to start the 2017 season for PEDs, per sources. Murphy has appealed.
— Master Tesfatsion (@MasterTes) March 5, 2017
Washington Redskins OLB Trent Murphy is facing a 4 game suspension for PEDs. Murphy had the best year of his 3-year NFL career last season, recording 47 tackles, 9 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. The original plan was for Murphy to add weight and play on the defensive line. Murphy bulked up to 287 lbs before training camp, but Junior Galette’s 2nd torn Achilles in 2 years forced him to lose the weight to return to his original spot at OLB.
Murphy was drafted in the 2nd round in 2014, and had not lived up to his draft status until last season. In his first two years he recorded only 35 tackles, 6 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Last season he was a force and one of the highlights on a defense that needed a lot of help. Murphy has appealed the suspension, but it is likely that the Redskins will once again go into a season relying on Junior Galette’s Achilles. Third times the charm?
“Junior obviously has great energy and great confidence in his ability, he just hasn’t been able to display that the last couple of years with his injuries,” Coach Jay Gruden said Wednesday when he spoke to reporters at the NFL combine. “[We] counted on Junior the last two years and unfortunately he popped his Achilles. It really hurt our feelings, and it hurt his feelings. We get him back for another year. He’s going to work, he’s going to practice hard, he’s going to play hard but we’ve got to get him healthy. But he’s going to give us a big boost if he can play.”