Washington OLB Trent Murphy lost his appeal of a 4-game PED suspension this week, according to the Washington Times. So Murphy will miss the 1st 4 games of the 2017 season. Washington's defense will still have OLB's Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith in the starting lineup.

Washington DE Chris Baker (ankle), ILB Will Compton (knee) and OLB Trent Murphy (foot) are active for today's game against the Giants and fine to use in IDP lineups if you had planned to do so.

Washington CB Bashaud Breeland (ankle) and OLB Trent Murphy (ankle) are active for today's game at Arizona. Both face upside matchups in IDP formats.

Washington CB Bashaud Breeland (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game at Arizona. He was a limited participant Thursday and Friday after a full workout Wednesday. We'll check on his game status Sunday. OLB Trent Murphy (ankle) is also oddly listed as questionable. He didn't appear on Wednesday's injury report and then was marked a full participant Thursday and Friday. We'll confirm his status Sunday as well. Washington's defense carries sleeper potential against a Cardinals team that has proved to be a strong matchup for team-D scoring in fantasy.

Washington OLB Junior Galette tore his left Achilles' tendon near the end of Wednesday's practice. ESPN's John Keim reports that Galette faces a 6-to-8-month rehab. Second-year man Trent Murphy is the next guy up in Galette's place opposite OLB Ryan Kerrigan. A quick emergence from rookie Preston Smith would certainly help, though. Washington's D looks likely to remain among the league's weaker units. Murphy and Smith will need to prove that they bring some IDP intrigue before you should bother with them.

Washington picked Stanford OLB Trent Murphy in the 2nd round of the 2014 NFL draft.  A DE in college, Murphy projects to OLB in Washington's 3-4 front.  He'll also be a part-time player until either Brian Orakpo or Ryan Kerrigan leaves town.  Washington retained Orakpo with the franchise tag this offseason.  Kerrigan is signed through 2015 after the team exercised its option year.  Murphy obviously won't make an IDP impact at least until he finds a lineup slot, but his arrival adds needed depth -- especially behind the oft-injured Orakpo.