Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo received a scare in the second preseason game when he re-injured his left pectoral muscle. It kept him out of the final two games, but it won’t keep him out of the opener.
Orakpo said Monday that he’ll play at New Orleans on Sunday.
“It’s still sore. There’s still stuff I have to deal with, but come Sunday, I should be ready to rock and roll,” he said.
Orakpo said he knows he can’t worry about the injury. He tore that muscle in the 2011 season finale and needed offseason surgery.
“You have to let it loose,” he said. “That’s something everyone deals with coming off a serious injury. I’m prepared for it. Come Sunday, I’ll get back to my normal self, making plays.”
Depth chart update: The Redskins haven’t said who will start at running back vs. New Orleans, but Evan Royster was listed No. 1 on the depth chart in the game information packet handed out Monday. Even so, Royster said he wouldn’t be surprised to learn who’s starting the night before the game.
Also, receiver Josh Morgan is listed as the starting Z receiver, ahead of 2011 third-round pick Leonard Hankerson. The Redskins coaches have been high on Hankerson, but Morgan was more productive this summer. Both players are coming off injuries. Morgan’s 2011 season ended with a broken leg; Hankerson’s ended because of a torn labrum.
Lichtensteiger confident: Left guard Kory Lichtensteiger, who did not play this preseason after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, said he’s 100 percent confident he’ll play vs. New Orleans.
Lichtensteiger tore two ligaments in that knee last October. It’s a tricky comeback, but the Redskins are glad to have him. They consider him their best run blocker, or at least they did before his injury. He understands the zone blocking scheme well and works well with left tackle Trent Williams.
With Lichtensteiger back, the Redskins will have their starting offensive line together in a game for the first time this season.
John Keim covers the Redskins for the Washington Examiner. Follow him on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLWAS or @John_Keim.