

Chris Neild, here warming up during training camp, may have suffered a serious injury in Tampa. (Jay Paul/Associated Press)

TAMPA, Fla. — Backup nose tackle Chris Neild is believed to have torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, coach Jay Gruden said following Thursday night’s preseason finale.

The fourth-year pro suffered the injury with just less than five minutes left in the first quarter while trying to defend a run play. Neild got the start with Barry Cofield receiving the night off, and the West Virginia product seemed to have a strong chance to make the 53-man roster.

Neild had to be carted off, and after the game, Gruden said that Neild was receiving tests on his knee “even as we speak,” but the full extent of the damage wasn’t immediately available.

Neild missed his second NFL season with a torn ACL in his left knee.

Meanwhile, backup inside linebacker Akeem Jordan left the game with what was believed to be a sprained medial collateral ligament. He was expected to undergo tests on Friday, according to Gruden.

Until Thursday, the Redskins had managed to avoid serious injury in this preseason.

Neild last season appeared in eight games, recording six tackles.

Follow Jones on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news on cuts leading up to Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline to trim the roster from 75 to 53 players.

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