FILED TO SPORTSJOURNEY/LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. – The Washington Redskins announced today that they have exercised their fifth-year option on the contract of linebacker Ryan Kerrigan.
Kerrigan (6-4, 260 lbs.) has started all 48 of Washington’s regular season games and one postseason game since he entered the NFL as the Redskins’ first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft. In three seasons, he has compiled 184 tackles (131 solo), 24.5 sacks, 15 passes defensed, 10 fumbles forced, two interceptions (both returned for touchdowns) and one fumble recovery.
The linebacker, who earned his first career Pro Bowl selection following the 2012 season, is one of 13 NFL players to have recorded at least 7.5 sacks in each of the last three seasons. His 24.5 career sacks rank tied for 10th in franchise history.
Kerrigan, 25, played collegiately at Purdue from 2007-10, becoming the Boilermakers’ first unanimous All-American since 1980 following his senior season in 2010. He is a native of Muncie, Ind.
Hail.