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 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.