Steelers @ Redskins: What to watch for
By Justin Roem
Protecting the edge
Kerrigan has been a great player for his entire career with the Redskins. He recorded 9.5 sacks in 2015 (more than a third of the team’s total) and just signed a big contract extension with Washington.
Alejandro Villanueva and Marcus Gilbert played well in 2015 and are happy to have their leader back in center Maurkice Pouncey. The pair will have their hands full blocking Kerrigan on Monday night.
Kerrigan moves around for the Redskins’ defense, but will primarily battle right tackle Gilbert. Gilbert is still nursing a hyperextended elbow that he sustained in the preseason. If he isn’t one hundred percent, Gilbert might need help from backs and tight ends to block Kerrigan.
In a 2012 matchup with the Steelers, Kerrigan recorded his team’s only sack in a Washington loss at Heinz Field.
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