When the Washington Redskins defense takes the field against the Miami Dolphins next Sunday, Coach Jay Gruden said the plan is for second-year pro Trent Murphy to start at right outside linebacker, opposite Pro Bowl pass-rusher Ryan Kerrigan.
The news, which came on Sunday, follows an offseason and preseason-long competition between Murphy and rookie Preston Smith.
Murphy, a second-round pick in 2014, and Smith, a second-rounder this year, split time at that position during practices. But with Ryan Kerrigan held out of all four preseason games as a precaution because of the arthroscopic knee surgery he had in June, Murphy and Smith both started.