Kentwan

Balmer

Evan Royster will start but could lose carries to Ryan Torain with Helu (toe, ankle) ruled out. Worthington and Myers were promoted from the practice squad on Tuesday to replace Dominique Byrd and LaRon Landry (Achilles, injured reserve).

Golston should be sidelined for at least the next few weeks, if not the rest of the season. Working as a rotational pass rusher, he’s notched 16 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Kentwan Balmer will likely see the biggest increase in snaps in his absence.

Balmer lasted just a week with the Panthers after being claimed off waivers in late August. He was reportedly out of shape at the time. The Redskins can afford to take a flier on the 2008 first-rounder now that their season is circling the drain.

Balmer has gone AWOL from training camp, cleaning out his hotel room, leaving nothing but a Redskins sweatshirt. LB Lorenzo Alexander said Balmer simply “decided to leave.” The organization can’t get in touch with him or his agent. Balmer also went AWOL while with the Niners during 2010 training camp.

Coach Mike Shanahan has no clue as to Balmer’s whereabouts, confirming that the absence was unexcused. “Hopefully it’s nothing very serious,” Shanahan said. This is nothing new for the 2008 first-rounder. Balmer was traded by the 49ers after going AWOL in August of 2010.

Balmer cleaned out his hotel room and went AWOL from camp nearly two weeks ago. The team was recently able to get in touch with him by phone, but no reason for his disappearance was given. Balmer remains on the reserve/left squad list.

The 49ers’ first-round pick in the 2008 draft, Balmer has not appeared in a game since the 2011 season. He went AWOL from Redskins camp last July and spent all of 2013 on the reserve/left squad list. Balmer is still only 27.

Rarely are personnel elites so specific about the draft. Modrak could be posturing, of course. NFL Net’s Mike Mayock has Trevor Laws (Notre Dame) and Marcus Harrison (Arkansas) as Nos. 4 and 5 behind Balmer.

Balmer, a 6'5/308-pound manchild, was replaced on the North roster by Iowa DE Bryan Mattison. Balmer is Mel Kiper’s favorite player in this draft, which should make the average fan skeptical.

It was thought that Isaac Sopoaga might get a chance to puch Franklin for the job. Kentwan Balmer, last year’s first-round pick, will see also see some time at nose tackle this year.