Washington Redskins linebacker Adam Hayward reportedly tore his ACL during Thursday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions and will miss the season.

Washington Redskins linebacker Adam Hayward tore his ACL during Thursday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions and will miss the season, reports CSN Washington’s Tarik El-Bashir.

Hayward exited the Redskins’ 21–17 win in the first half with a knee injury. Head coach Jay Gruden did not confirm the diagnosis after the game, but said Hayward was being examined for an ACL injury.

Hayward, 31, played in 11 games last season before fracturing a bone in his right leg during the Week 12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He finished the season with 13 tackles.

In April, Gruden said he expected Hayward to lead the Redskins’ special teams unit. Hayward was a unit team captain last season.

• BURKE: Gruden, Redskins staff to blame for Robert Griffin III injury

“When we lost Hayward, that really hurt,” Gruden said, according to El-Bashir. “He was a captain back there. He really holds a high standard for all of our players. Having him back as a captain, having some other guys... in their second year with [special teams coordinator Ben]​ Kotwica, we’ll be good.”

Hayward signed a three-year contract with the Redskins in March 2014 after seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL draft.

- Mike Fiammetta