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Washington Redskins tight end Niles Paul had to be carted off the field during Thursday’s preseason game after suffering a fractured ankle.
Late in the first quarter, Paul got rolled up underneath a member of the Cleveland Browns, and by the time the play was over, his leg was bent the wrong way. Here’s a look at what happened: (WARNING: Not for the faint of heart):
Prayers up for Niles Paul.. It doesn’t look good.. #Redskins http://t.co/jEt20qW7Yr
Redskins medical staff came onto the field and immediately put an air cast on Paul’s leg, and he won’t return this season. Washington head coach Jay Gruden confirmed the awful news after the game:
Gruden says Niles Paul has a season-ending ankle fracture dislocation. “A huge loss for us. He’s a great player & and a great leader.”
Any type of preseason injury is tough to see, but you have to feel especially brutal for Paul and the Redskins. Last season, the Nebraska product really came into his own, stepping up for an injured Jordan Reed and tallying 39 receptions for 507 yards and a touchdown.
With this injury, the health of Reed, who is immensely talented but has missed 12 games in his two seasons and has been dealing with a hamstring injury, becomes even more important.