Kerrigan Out for First Time in NFL Career

Ryan Kerrigan is out for the first time in his career after 139 straight starts.

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Kerrigan will miss his first NFL game in his career on Sunday when the Redskins try to keep their extremely slim playoff hopes alive. 

Since September 11, 2011 until last Sunday, the streak lived. Kerrigan has been nearly everything you could ask for since being selected No. 16 overall. 

139 straight games does not a career make but it was a hell of a ride. It was the fourth longest consecutive game streak in the league. 

Redskins interim coach Bill Callahan made the announcement following Friday's practice. 

"I can’t even begin to express how much he’s meant to this organization, what he’s contributed, what he means to his teammates, the type of pro that he is day-in and day-out," Callahan told reporters including Maven/S-I.com.  "He’s a constant pro, just watching him around the facility, in the meeting room, on the field, there’s no better example of what a pro should be in the NFL than Ryan Kerrigan.”

The Redskins now face Christian McCaffrey and the Carolina Panthers without a man that has racked up 89 career sacks. 

They'll have to try and replace him with Ryan Anderson, Montez Sweat and newly signed Nate Orchard. 

In addition, Paul Richardson has been ruled out. This will be second game in the last three that he's missed. 

Chris Thompson should be active per Callahan, for the first time since October 13.

Chris Russell is the Publisher of Maven & Sports Illustrated's Washington Redskins channel. He can be heard on 106.7 The FAN in the Washington D.C. area and world-wide on Radio.com. Chris also hosts the "Locked on Redskins" Podcast and can be read via subscription to Warpath Magazine. You can e-mail Chris at russellmania09@Gmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @Russellmania621.