RICHMOND - Redskins defensive back Bashaud Breeland's day went from bad to worse in a matter of hours on Friday at training camp.
Friday morning, the Redskins learned that Breeland had been suspended one game for his arrest on a marijuana charge nearly a year ago in Richmond at the end of last year's training camp. Then during Friday afternoon's practice, Breeland went down with a knee injury while covering a receiver during team drills. According to published reports, Breeland suffered a sprained MCL and will be out anywhere from 4-8 weeks, but will effectively miss the rest of training camp, and regardless of his injury, the season opening game against Miami on September 13.
“When he went down, it kind of sucked the wind out of practice,” Redskins safety Akeem Davis said. “But Bree being Bree, we know he's going to be back.”
Before the afternoon practice, head coach Jay Gruden addressed Breeland's suspension, saying he didn't know why the NFL waited almost a full year to hand down a one game suspension, but that Breeland would prepare like any other defensive back for the long season ahead.
"But it’s a big loss for us because not only can he play inside at nickel, he can play outside, and he’s a key member of our special teams" Gruden said about Breeland's suspension before his injury. "But we’ll have to get somebody else ready. Luckily we still have [David] Amerson here who’s going to do a good job. We’ve got [Chris] Culliver. We got D-Hall, obviously. We’ve got Justin Rogers. We’ve got Tevin Mitchel, who we drafted. So we have got some other guys that will have to step up.”
Breeland – who was named to NFL.com’s All-Rookie Team – played in all 16 games in 2014, making 15 starts, and had 62 tackles with 13 passes defensed and two interceptions. He was set to start at one cornerback spot opposite free agent signee Chris Culliver.
