Brian Orakpo’s second annual contract year has not ended well. The Washington linebacker, who had been struggling while playing under the $11.45 million franchise tag, suffered a torn pectoral muscle on Sunday against the Titans, per a league source.
Orakpo will be placed on injured reserve, ending his 2014 season.
A torn pec ended Orakpo’s 2012 season after only two games. Healthy for 15 games last year, 10 sacks from the 2009 first-round pick prompted Washington to use the franchise tag. A second application of the tag would cost $13.74 million.
Thus, Orakpo will undoubtedly hit the open market -- and he’ll likely stay with Washington only if they offer him more than he could get elsewhere.
If it’s over for Orakpo in Washington, it ends with 71 games, 40 sacks, and a playoff appearance that was earned with Orakpo missing every game beyond Week Two.