Report: Redskins OLB Junior Galette will not play in preseason opener

Excited to see Junior Galette’s resurgence in a Redskins uniform? Well, we all are. But good things come to those who wait. And it appears we’ll have to wait a little bit longer for Galette to return to the field.

It’s been an offseason full of positive reviews for Junior Galette, the 29-year old edge rusher who’s been a Redskin for two full years, and taken zero full snaps. Suffering two Achilles tears in the past three years, Galette faced an uphill battle coming into the offseason. Now, he’s nearly crested the hill, garnering rave reviews from the coaching staff. He looks like he hasn’t lost a beat.

But we’ll have to wait at least another week to see the reborn renegade under the lights. Per Mike Jones of the Washington Post, Galette will sit out the opener against the Ravens due to a minor injury, unrelated to his Achilles bouts.

The injury, although insignificant, is a disappointing one. Galette was one of the most disruptive edge rushers in training camp. He was one of the only ones to beat Trent Williams on multiple occasions, which is a nearly impossible feat in its own right. He reportedly hadn’t lost any of his burst, and his technique was sharper than ever. Technique and talent make for a devastating combination, and Galette isn’t lacking in either of those departments.

While the injury forces back the return of one of football’s more energetic players, there is a silver lining. Other players vying for recognition will now get their shot on Thursday night. Players like Ryan Anderson and Lynden Trail will look to make the most of their opportunity against the Ravens. Trail, in particular, needs a good preseason to stick around.

Galette joins a moderately sized list of inactives for Thursday’s game. On the offense, Josh Doctson, Jamison Crowder, Kendal Thompson, and Jordan Reed will all sit due to various injuries. And on the defense, rookies Montae Nicholson and Fabian Moreau will rest, still recovering from injuries that have burdened them since draft season.

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Galette should be back in due time. And on all accounts, he looks just as fast, just as strong, and just as motivated to succeed as he did three years ago. His recovery hopes very real and very much alive, Galette simply needs a week or two to recuperate and get back to full strength. Once he’s ready, he’ll wreak havoc for the Redskins.