The Washington Redskins waived guard Arie Kouandjio on Tuesday with an injury designation, the first step toward putting the former Alabama standout on injured reserve for the 2018 season.

Kouandjio suffered a torn quadriceps muscle during Washington's offseason program, and he underwent surgery last week with the hope that the injury wouldn't be season-ending. But the Redskins got the bad news on Tuesday that Kouandjio's injury will keep him out at least six months and perhaps sideline him for eight months, effectively knocking the offensive lineman out for the season.

By waiving Kouandjio with an injured designation, Washington will be able to put him on its injured-reserve list if he goes unclaimed on waivers, a likely occurrence given his injury.

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Released by the Redskins at the end of the preseason last year, Kouandjio was on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad when Washington re-signed him on Oct. 28. The Redskins were in a pinch because of offensive-line injuries.

Kouandjio played in eight games, starting six at left guard in the remainder of the 2017 season.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by Washington, Kouandjio had played in nine games and started two in his first two NFL seasons.

At Alabama, Kouandjio was a first-team All-American for the 2014 season on the squad selected by the American Football Coaches Association.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @AMarkG1.