Redskins will open camp without lineman Mike Williams, out for the year with blood clots

Redskins’ M. Williams out for year with blood clot

ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Redskins will open training camp Thursday without offensive lineman Mike Williams, who is out for the year after a blood clot was discovered in his lungs.

Williams was a remarkable comeback story a year ago, dropping some 70 pounds as he returned to the NFL after a three-year absence to make the Redskins roster and start eight games.

This year he was expected to compete for the starting right guard spot, but a blood clot developed in his calf, leading to X-rays that located the other one in his chest.

He’s taking blood thinners, which keeps him out for this season.

“It was really a setback for us,” coach Mike Shanahan said Wednesday. “You’re just glad that you caught it before it was serious.”

With Williams out, Artis Hicks is expected to start at right guard after working much of the offseason at right tackle. Two-time Pro Bowl lineman Jammal Brown, acquired last month in a trade with the New Orleans Saints, is the projected starting right tackle.

The Redskins also have yet to sign No. 4 overall pick Trent Williams, the projected starting left tackle. High-round picks have been especially slow to sign with their teams this year.

“I would be surprised if he misses any length of time,” Shanahan said, “but the quicker he gets in, the better off it’ll be for all of us.”

Cornerback Carlos Rogers was waiting until the last minute to sign his $1.54 million restricted free agent tender. Rogers is unhappy that he isn’t getting a long-term contract, but he has no choice but to accept the tender and report for camp Thursday.

“I’ll bet you he signs it,” Shanahan said.

Shanahan also said the “door has not closed” as far as the team’s interest in longtime Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook, who remains a free agent. The Redskins envision Westbrook as a third-down back.

Shanahan said players and coaches will be housed together in a hotel during camp — coach Jim Zorn let the older veterans live at home last year — and that the daily routine will include a “pretty intense” morning practice followed by a “jog-through” in the afternoon.