Evans to the Rescue

For the third time in a little more than a month, it’s Demetric Evans to the rescue. The jack-of-all-trades on Washington’s defensive line, Evans is expected to start in place of the injured Jason Taylor at left end in Sunday’s game against the NFC favorite Cowboys in Dallas.

When left end Phillip Daniels suffered a season-ending torn ACL on the first snap of training camp, Evans was set to start. However, the Redskins traded for Taylor hours later. Then, when Taylor sprained his right knee in the Aug. 23 preseason game at Carolina, Evans took over looked like he would be the starter for the opener at the New York Giants. Taylor, however, recovered in time to play.

This time Taylor, who had blood surgically drained from his left calf Monday morning, won’t be ready for the Cowboys - and perhaps won’t be ready the following week when the Redskins face the Eagles.

“It’s definitely a setback [for the defense],” Evans said. “If I know I’m going to be the guy on Wednesday, I’ll definitely do some things differently. As a backup, you kind of watch the game from the sideline, and when you go in, you know how they’ll attack you. But once you’re a starter, you’re in there from play one, and they’ll probably attack you differently.”

Evans, 29, came to the Redskins in 2004 after being cut the previous summer following two years with the Cowboys. He started eight games in place of Daniels as an injury replacement in 2004 but started just four in the past three years.

Source: Washington Times

“It hurts,” Zorn said of losing Taylor. “It’s an opportunity for the next guy to come in and step up.”

Demetric to Start Sunday?

Word out of Redskins camp is that Demetric is expected to start Sunday against the Cowboys, due to an injury to Jason Taylor.

What seemed like an annoying kick in the calf turned into a significant medical issue for the Washington Redskins and defensive end Jason Taylor, who underwent a 20-minute procedure Monday and will miss next week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.

“He’s going to be fine,” coach Jim Zorn said. “Our problem is that he’s going to be out for this Dallas game for sure. I can’t tell you beyond that.”

Taylor was kicked in his left leg in the second quarter of Sunday’s 24-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Seventh-year player Demetric Evans, a reliable Redskins backup for the last four years, is expected to start while Taylor is out.

With Taylor Out, Evans May Get the Start

It’s touch and go whether Jason Taylor will play in the Redskins’ opener against the Giants.

Taylor sprained his right knee in Saturday’s 47-3 exhibition loss to Carolina. An MRI performed Sunday relieved the Redskins’ fears of a more serious injury.

“It looks like there’s no ligament damage,” coach Jim Zorn said. “He could be out for 10 days or as much as two weeks. We are just waiting to see what type of a healer he’s going to be.”

Taylor’s availability is in doubt for the Sept. 4 Redskins-Giants game, which is the NFL’s Thursday night league opener. Longtime Redskins backup defensive end Demetric Evans and recently acquired Erasmus James would contend to start if Taylor can’t play.

Evans Moves Inside

Demetric Evans’ tenure as Washington’s starting left defensive end lasted less than seven hours - the time between the loss of Phillip Daniels to a season-ending torn ACL on the first day of training camp and the trade for six-time Pro Bowl pick Jason Taylor.

However, Evans benefited from those developments. Before they occurred, right end Andre Carter and linebacker Marcus Washington were the outside rushers on third downs, with Daniels moving inside. However, since Carter, Taylor and Washington are all considered too small to play tackle, Evans now takes the role Daniels can no longer fill.

“I’m excited about it,” said the 28-year-old, who’s entering his fifth year with Redskins. “I went into the offseason planning to compete to play inside on third downs, [focusing] less on the conditioning and running than I usually do. I worked a lot more on getting stronger so I could push the pocket and get upfield.”

Full Story: Washington Times

Training Camp Diary Coming Soon

Redskins camp is set to begin this weekend and Demetric is ready to share with you the fans, his training camp experience. So get ready to check in and read Demetric’s Training Camp Diary.

Evans Finishes with 25 Tackles

Number 92 finished the year with the following totals in ‘07. A year in which the team lost team player Sean Taylor and fell short in the playoffs against the Seahawks.

Evans played in 16 games and had 1 start. He finished with 25 total tackles, one sack and three passes defensed.