Chase

Minnifield

The procedure was performed on a non-weight bearing bone. Minnifield entered the season as a top-45 prospect, but he’s been on a steady decline due to knee problems. Rotoworld draft guru Josh Norris doesn’t expect the son of former Browns star cornerback Frank Minnifield to go off the board until Round 4 at the earliest.

Widely viewed as an early-round prospect at the beginning of last season, Minnifield fell out of the draft entirely due to concerns about his knee following microfracture surgery. The son of former Browns star Frank Minnifield, Chase should carve out an NFL career if he can recapture pre-injury form.

He’s less than six months removed from microfracture surgery, so it’s notable progress. After being limited in OTAs, Minnifield expects to be cleared for the start of training camp. He’ll compete with Kevin Barnes, Morgan Trent, and seventh-round CB Richard Crawford, among others, for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Although Minnifield underwent microfracture surgery over the winter, this still comes as a bit of surprise in that the former Virginia star shined while participating fully in June minicamp. The Redskins are building in roster flexibility with the option to leave Minnifield on reserve/PUP for the first six games. RB Tristan Davis (undisclosed) is also expected to open camp on the PUP list.

It’s a shame for one of this year’s intriguing undrafted free agents, as Minnifield had already made a speedy recovery from microfracture surgery. He put on a ballhawking show earlier in the minicamp. Unclaimed on waivers, Minnifield will spend the 2012 season on injured reserve.

Although Minnifield claimed to run a 4.3 early in his Cavaliers career, he fell out of the draft after turning in a 4.7 in late March. After being limited in rookie minicamp last month, Minnifield has stood out in this week’s practices. Redskins coaches are “ecstatic” that he fell in their laps after the draft.

A 2007 fifth-round pick, Jones has appeared in 93 games as a reserve and special teamer with the Bengals and Jaguars. Signs point to a setback for Minnifield, who impressed in June minicamp after offseason microfracture surgery.

We suspected as much when the Redskins announced that the once-promising undrafted rookie had been waived/injured. Minnifield recently had another “procedure” on his knee. “He’s not going to be physically able to come back during the season,” said Minnifield’s agent. “He’s going to be out a year.” Considering the severity of the injury, Minnifield should clear waivers to land on injured reserve.

Limited at minicamp, Minnifield hasn’t had any setbacks in his recovery from a second ACL surgery. He still isn’t 100 percent, but is on track to be cleared when camp opens on July 25. Minnifield will compete for a backup job. DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson, and E.J. Biggers are considered “locks” for the 53-man roster.

Minnifield may never be able to get over his knee injuries, but he’s currently expected to compete for a starting job with E.J. Biggers and Richard Crawford. With the Redskins’ cornerback situation in flux, it’s possible that Minnifield could be a factor in 2013 if he can prove he’s healthy. Washington will likely use at least one second-day pick on a defensive back.