FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Leonard Hankerson, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, was limited during Wednesday's practice in preparation for the Indianapolis Colts.

At the start of practice, Hankerson worked on a side field alone, trying to work out the kinks. After practice, quarterback Matt Ryan raved about what having Hankerson back would mean for a struggling offense.

"Hank has had a great year for us when he's been able to go," Ryan said, "and I think having him back opens up a lot of things for everybody. It makes us a better offense. And so, certainly good to have him out there practicing today."

Hankerson is fourth on the team in receptions with 22 for 291 yards and two touchdowns. He has the team's longest pass play of the season on a 55-yard catch and run. He also leads the team with five drops.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Roddy White upon Hankerson's return. White wants more touches and coach Dan Quinn has talked about White's role being important moving forward.


(espn.com)

Hankerson (hamstring) returned to practice Monday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Hankerson's hamstring injury prevented him from practicing for two weeks heading into the Falcons' recent bye week. Coming off that rest period, Hankerson has returned to the fold as Atlanta reconvenes this week, making his status worthwhile to monitor ahead of Sunday's game against the Colts.



(cbssports.com)

Hankerson (hamstring) won't participate in practice Wednesday.

While he won't take part in individual or team drills, Hankerson will work with the training staff on the side, as he did in last Friday's practice before he was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. An appearance at practice before week's end would put him on a path to active status Sunday in San Francisco, but that has yet to occur.


(cbssports.com)

Falcons wide receiver Leonard Hankerson (ribs/hamstring) was limited in practice Wednesday.

Hankerson burst onto the scene as the clear-cut No. 2 wideout to Julio Jones, accruing 17 receptions (on 29 targets) for 241 yards and two touchdowns in his first four contests. But he sustained a rib injury in Week 5, and his output has subsequently fallen off a cliff (five catches for 50 yards on 10 targets over the last two weeks).


(cbssports.com)

Falcons wide receiver Leonard Hankerson (ribs) was limited at Tuesday's practice, Vaughn McClure of ESPN reports.

Hankerson was also limited Monday after briefly departing Sunday's game with the rib issue. He ended up with only one catch for 13 yards on the day, and at this point it looks as though he could be at less than 100 percent with the Falcons playing Thursday night on a short week.




(cbssports.com)

Leonard Hankerson was held to one catch for 13 yards on four targets in the Falcons' Week 5 win over the Redskins.

No "revenge game" here, as Hankerson faced his old team but missed much of the first half with a rib injury. He returned at the start of the third quarter, but failed to reel in all three of his second-half targets, all three of which came in scoring position. Hankerson remains a big part of Atlanta's offense and has entered the every-week WR3 conversation in fantasy leagues. The Falcons face the Saints on Thursday night in Week 6.


(rotoworld.com)

Julio Jones has, without a doubt, made a substantial impact in each of Atlanta’s last four games. This was obvious during the first three weeks of 2015, when he tallied 34 catches, 440 receiving yards and four touchdowns to go along with early MVP consideration. And, though he finished with just 38 total yards against Houston, Jones’ mere presence helped the Falcons score 49 points—a season-high.

For evidence of this, look no further than Leonard Hankerson’s production.

Hankerson, who enjoyed a lot of single coverage versus the Texans, amassed six grabs for 106 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. 55 of those yards came on a single reception, which likely wouldn't have resulted in a substantial gain if not for the attention placed on Jones. Because Houston’s free safety shifted outside to help cover No. 11 off the snap, he put himself out of position to track down Hankerson.



Houston finally brought him down at the six yard line. Devonta Freeman scored on the next play.

“Julio, he’s a great player. Him just being out there, he helps out all of us,” said Hankerson. “Just to be able to make some plays, help this team out—it feels good. You can’t act like (Jones) isn’t there. The type of player he is, the defensive coordinators, they dream about him. So you have to call a defense that’s going to double-team him. And that helps out everybody.”

Hankerson has quietly gotten off to a great start in Atlanta and, a few drops notwithstanding, has been a reliable No. 2 WR. Matt Ryan’s enjoyed throwing to the University of Miami graduate and has a 116.4 passer rating when targeting him.

“For sure, he’s one of the guys that we count on,” Quinn said about Hankerson, who’s on pace to finish the regular season with 941 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. “That catching radius that he has is one of the things that sets him apart. I think he runs really good routes.

“He’s a tough cover for us. Anytime there’s going to be some extra attention sent over to another guy on our team sometimes the benefit will come back towards him. I think all of those things are a big part of why he’s doing so well.”


(atlantafalcons.com)

THREE #‎proCane TDs were scored in Week 4 of the NFL!

#‎Jags WR Allen Hurns (1), #‎Browns RB Duke Johnson (1), #‎Falcons WR Leonard Hankerson (1).

Allen Hurns’ TD extended the streak to 10 straight weeks a #proCane has scored a TD in the #‎NFL.

Duke Johnson scored his first ever NFL TD on a 34-yard pass. Johnson finished the day with 116 total yards and 1 TD. 85 yards receiving, 31 yards rushing.

Leonard Hankerson secured 6-of-8 targets for 103 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' Week 4 rout of Houston.

He also drew an illegal contact penalty early in the game, and scored his TD on a quick goal-line rub route in the first quarter. Hankerson is an every-week contributor in Atlanta's offense, but not quite consistent enough to be trusted as more than a dart-throw WR3 in fantasy. Through four weeks, Hankerson is on pace for 68 catches, 964 yards, and eight touchdowns. He'll be more of a WR4/flex play against the Redskins in Week 5.


(rotoworld.com)

Falcons wide receiver Leonard Hankerson caught three passes off of six targets for 45 yards in Sunday's win over Dallas.

Through three weeks it has been Hankerson, not Roddy White, that has served as the second option in Atlanta's passing offense. Hankerson's 20 targets, 12 catches and 138 receiving yards all rank second on the team. Hankerson has never topped 38 catches in a season, but offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan clearly saw enough from him during their time together in Washington to bring him to Atlanta. Expect that rapport to pay dividends in terms of his role in the offense.


(cbssports.com)

On a day when wide receiver Roddy White was held without a catch and Devin Hester was inactive, the Falcons needed someone to complement high-flying Julio Jones. Leonard Hankerson did.

Hankerson, signed as a free agent last offseason after an undistinguished career with Washington, made six catches for 77 yards and one touchdown in helping the Falcons rally from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the New York Giants, 24-20, on Sunday.

“Any time you can make plays for the team, it feels good,” Hankerson said in his soft-spoken way.

He appeared in 31 games and made 17 starts during his four years in Washington, trying to find his way as that team often sought to find its way. His best season came in 2012, when he established career highs with 38 receptions and 543 yards.

“I do my job,” he said. “Whether it’s on the practice field or off the field, I continue to do my job.”

Few catches loomed larger than the touchdown grab he made from 10 yards out to cap a 12-play, 91-yard drive that allowed the Falcons to slash the Giants’ lead to 20-17 with 12:39 remaining. It was among the highlights for quarterback Matt Ryan as he shredded the Giants’ defense, converting 30 of 46 pass attempts for 363 yards and the lone scoring pass to Hankerson.

“Any time you are going to throw the ball 40 or more times, you’ve got to distribute it,” said Ryan, adding, “I’m really happy for Hank. He’s worked really hard coming in here.”

After suffering through an awful season in Washington last year, Hankerson is amped to be with the 2-0 Falcons.

“We have a heck of a team,” he said. “We can all make plays.”


(myajc.com)

Leonard Hankerson caught 2-of-4 targets for 16 yards in the Falcons' Week 1 win over the Eagles.

HankTime had as many penalties as catches and took more penalty yards than he gained. He was the clear-cut No. 3 receiver, but was whistled once for offensive pass interference and once for holding, negating big gains by Julio Jones on both plays. Hankerson is unlikely to produce much unless one of Jones or Roddy White gets hurt. He'll be a WR5 against the Giants in Week 2.


(rotoworld.com)

The Leonard Hankerson signing was an intriguing front office move made by Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff in the offseason.  Hank spent his entire four-year with the Washington Redskins organization as an often injured 4th receiver.

But the Atlanta Falcons needed to find a replacement for longtime slot receiver Harry Douglas now with the Tennessee Titans.  Atlanta brought in Leonard Hankerson who is familiar with new OC Kyle Shanahan’s system from their time together with the Washington Redskins.  Hank came in to compete with KR/WR Devin Hester and rookie WR Justin Hardy out of East Carolina for 3rd on the Falcons’ receiving depth chart behind Julio Jones and Roddy White.

Through the first two preseason games, I would say that Leonard Hankerson is very much in the lead for that third receiver option for QB Matt Ryan in Shanahan’s offense.  Since Hester is best known for his Hall of Fame worthy return skills, anything Shanahan gets from Devin in the receiving corps is really an added bonus.

Justin Hardy has not turned heads with his play as I had hoped for in the first two preseason games.  His route running needs some edge to it to shake off pesky defenders in the slot.  Ceasing dropped passes would help out Hardy, too.


(atlallday.com)

Leonard Hankerson caught 3-of-3 targets for 15 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' second preseason game.

Hankerson saw two straight red-zone targets on the second offensive drive, converting the second into a two-yard touchdown. It was somewhat concerning Devin Hester saw snaps in two-wide sets with Roddy White (elbow) sidelined, but Hankerson is the favorite to open the season as Atlanta's third receiver. He is a name to keep in mind if Julio Jones or Roddy White goes down.


(rotoworld.com)

He was the talk of Atlanta Falcons' training camp, yet Leonard Hankerson would rather not even talk about it.

The fifth-year receiver doesn't walk around thinking he's accomplished anything because he really hasn't. Any whispers of Hankerson being the “X-factor” for the Falcons this season is meaningless to him right now.

“I mean, my job is to just go out there and do whatever I can, whatever is possible, to help the team out,” Hankerson said. “Whether it’s making a block, whether it’s special teams, whether it’s catching the ball or whether it’s coaching up young guys, I feel like I can bring a lot to the team. Whatever I’m called upon to do, that’s what I’ll do.”

If Hankerson can consistently play in the same fashion has has during the offseason and preseason, his number could be called often. He looks like a legitimate option behind Julio Jones. And Hankerson's role could become even more important if the swollen elbow that veteran Roddy White started experiencing the last few days turns into a significant issue.

The 6-foot-2, 211-pound Hankerson gave the NFL world a glimpse of what has been going on at Falcons headquarters when he scored on 2-yard touchdown reception from Matt Ryan in Friday's 30-22 preseason loss to the New York Jets. Hankerson had three catches for 15 yards while running the same offensive system he grew accustomed to in Washington under Kyle Shanahan, now his coordinator again in Atlanta.

Ryan seems extremely comfortable targeting Hankerson.

“I think Hank is doing an awesome job,” Ryan told Falcons radio analyst Dave Archer during a postgame interview. “He's a guy that shows up every day. He works extremely hard. He's a quieter guy, but he's intense. I've been really pleased with what he's brought to our team.”

Hankerson's familiarity with the scheme has made his transition seamless. His size and speed is an asset, and he's shown a willingness to catch the ball over the middle and absorb contact. He looked nearly flawless throughout training camp.

“I feel like I had good one,” Hankerson said of camp. “It’s probably been my best so far. But there are still things I can go out and get better on – whether it’s my route-running. I feel like my job is to catch the ball. I think I probably had one drop, maybe. You always want to come out perfect, but it happens. But I feel like I had a good one. I went out and I did what I wanted to get done. I competed. And that’s all I can do.”

Moving forward, health is the biggest concern tied to Hankerson. He suffered anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament tears in his left knee back in 2013 that limited him to 11 games in the last two seasons. Hankerson said there is no lingering pain in the knee.

But watching Carolina top receiver Kelvin Benjamin go down with a season-ending ACL tear only reinforced to Hankerson how quickly things can turn for the worse.

“That’s a tough situation,” Hankerson said of Benjamin. “The NFL, it's like a band of brothers. You want everybody to come out healthy. Unfortunately, it’s a tough sport. When something like that happens, you hate to see it. At the same time, you’ve got to have each and everybody protecting each other. But it’s just the nature of the game.”


(espn.com)

Leonard Hankerson, WR He was signed as a free agent primarily because of his familiarity with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's scheme from Washington. Hankerson made plays that make you wonder why he wasn't more productive with the Redskins. Then again, he had a serious knee injury in 2013 that stunted his growth. If Hankerson continues to shine on Sundays like he did in practice, then the Falcons might be unstoppable in the passing game.



(espn.com)

According to the Falcons' website, Leonard Hankerson has been "the best wide receiver at Flowery Branch so far."

It should be noted that Roddy White is taking it slow on his balky knee. Still, Hankerson appears to have parlayed his big spring into a productive early summer. "I think it’s the length, he’s got such a big catching radius," coach Dan Quinn said. "You’ve probably seen some of the sideline plays, he’s got such a knack for keeping it in bounds and going to stretch for the ball, so that’s probably one of the biggest things that stand out for me with Hankerson." Hankerson has the inside track on the Falcons' third receiver job.


(rotoworld.com)

FLOWERY BRANCH — Prior to the start of Friday’s training camp, Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn told the media to look out for wide receiver Leonard Hankerson.

“Hank I thought has really jumped out to me on the offensive side with some big catches throughout the OTAs,” Quinn said in June.

During the first day of training camp Hankerson impressed again. The 6-foot-2, 211-pound wideout made a handful of impressive grabs.

“He did good,” fellow receiver Roddy White said. “He made a lot of plays today. Especially on the bench he caught over (near the sideline) and an over the middle route. He did a lot of good things today.”

Hankerson played in just one game last season for the Washington Redskins as he recovered from knee injury suffered during the 2013 season.

The former University of Miami star said he feels comfortable in Atlanta after signing with the team in March.

“Definitely,” he said. “I’m good, man. I’ve been working. Working hard in the offseason, doing what I’ve got to do, putting in work, and that’s what it’s all about. Coming in and doing your job and doing it consistently and making things happen.”

Hankerson does have a bit of a level playing field when it comes to competing for playing time with the other receivers, in that the Falcons are installing a new offense with coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

The Falcons are playing faster on offense now than they were during the first series of OTAs with the new system Hankerson said.

“Yeah, of course,” he said. “Everybody knows it now, so we can go out there and be comfortable. We complete passes, we can do what we’ve got to do and make the plays.”


(gwinnettedailypost.com)

Leonard Hankerson, who will compete with Hardy for playing time, has made a number of impressive catches during Minicamp and, as someone who played for Kyle Shanahan in Washington, feels comfortable in the new offense.

“What we really like about Hank’s game is that big catching radius,” said Quinn. “He’s got long arms and can go catch it whether it’s low or high, all the deep overs that he’s a factor on. So that’s one of the things that really jumped out.”

(atlantafalcons.com)

One of the newest members of the Atlanta Falcons, Leonard Hankerson, is feeling confident about his team's offense heading into the upcoming season. According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of AJC.com, Hankerson believes his team can boast a top-five offense.

“During my years with him in Washington, we were one of the top offenses in the league,” Hankerson told AJC.com. “With the weapons that he (Kyle Shanahan) has on this team, there is no doubt about it that we can be a top-five offense. We can be a great team.”

Hankerson has a strong argument. With playmakers like Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White, Hankerson, Devonta Freeman and new additions Justin Hardy and Tevin Coleman, this team could be poised for huge things in 2015.


(foxsports.com)

Leonard Hankerson, a third-round draft pick in 2011, spent his first few seasons with Washington. After the Falcons parted ways with veteran Harry Douglas, they brought in Hankerson on a one-year deal. Hankerson spoke to the Atlanta media this week, sharing his thoughts on transitioning to a new team, joining players like Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Julio Jones, and more.

Hankerson's development and productivity in his first three seasons were hindered by injury. According to Hankerson, he's physically ready to go at this point. "Everything is good, man. I'm 100%," Hankerson said. "I've been working really hard, you know, grinding. I mean, I've been 100% for -- I don't know, a couple months now. So everything's good."

The Falcons' high-powered offensive personnel were part of the appeal as Hankerson weighed his options as a free agent. "I mean, it was a great opportunity to come to an offense that I'm very...familiar with," Hankerson said. "A great quarterback in Matt Ryan, and a couple of other receivers on the squad that I'll come and join and have fun and do whatever it takes to win games and to compete."

Hankerson has some familiarity with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, and he said that he expects Shanahan to really make an impact this season with the talent he has to work with on offense. "Kyle, he's a very good coach," Hankerson said. "He knows a whole lot of stuff, and with the players that we have on the squad, that we can go out there and get the job done and have a top five offense."

For Hankerson, his expectations for the role he will play in Atlanta's offense don't revolve around his personal stats. "You know, it's just about going in there and competing with the guys, getting the job done," Hankerson said. "Not me having a personal impact on the game, you know? Just about everybody coming together as a team and doing what we've got to do to win games."

And Hankerson knows he's surrounded by quality receiving talent on the Falcons roster. "I look forward to going in and playing with those guys...Roddy, Julio, Devin -- all of these guys that's on the squad," Hankerson said. "Coach Terry [Robiskie], he's a great coach here. I'm excited about the opportunity."

After missing significant time with various injuries in his first three seasons, Hankerson is looking forward to the opportunity for a fresh start in Atlanta. "I'm excited. I think we have a good thing going here," Hankerson said. "The players, the coaches, everybody's excited, and like I said earlier, it's just about everybody coming together, getting the job done, and going out here winning games, and it's not all about me. It's about the team. And that's what we're going to try to do starting on the sixth, is everybody working out and having fun and setting everybody's mindset to one thing, and that's winning games."

I asked Hankerson for his perspective on playing with quarterback Matt Ryan, and Hankerson cited Ryan's experience and work ethic as reasons he's glad to have him for a teammate. "Matt Ryan, he's a great quarterback. I'm excited about the opportunity to go and play with him," Hankerson said. "He's been in the league a long time as well. I mean, I'm pretty sure I could learn a whole lot from him and his other receivers, and I'm going there to do what I've got to do, work hard each and every day, and I'm pretty sure Matt Ryan is doing the same thing, and that's all I can do, but I'm definitely excited to play with him."


(thefalcoholic.com)

A lot has happened in the last 48 hours in the NFL as far as Free Agent signings and our proCanes have been at the center of it all with several proCane stars joining new teams. See a recap of all the action below:

Former 49ers RB Frank Gore signed a 3-year $12 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts.

Former Texans WR Andre Johnson signed a 3-year $21 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts.

TE Jimmy Graham was traded from the New Orleans Saints to Seattle Seahawks.

Former Giants S Antrel Rolle signed a 3-year $11.25 million contract with the Chicago Bears.

Former Redskins WR Leonard Hankerson signed a 1-year $1 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

OT Eric Winston re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Former Broncos OL Orlando Franklin signed a 5-year $36 million contract with the San Diego Chargers.

OT Jason Fox re-signed with the Miami Dolphins.

MLB Jon Beason re-signed with the NY Giants.

Notable proCane Free Agents still available: Chris Myers, Brandon Meriweather, Santana Moss, Colin McCarthy, Reggie Wayne, Vince Wilfork, DJ Williams, Darryl Sharpton.

1. Something to Prove: Falcons wide receiver Leonard Hankerson has proven his determined will to thrive in the NFL, enduring one year of recovery time after suffering a knee injury on Nov. 17, 2013. He returned to action in 2014, playing in one game. Hankerson now joins the Falcons with plenty of motivation to showcase the talent that earned him a spot in the league in 2011.

2. Shanahan Familiarity: Hankerson reunites with former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who worked with the receiver during the 2011-2013 seasons, which included 81 receptions for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns. In 2012, Hankerson's efforts helped Washington finish ninth in the NFL in total offense (369.7 yards per game).

Great field work today @HankTime85 @DC_CHILLIN_8 @Kstaff07 @TonyVillani_XPE and others .

— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) February 6, 2015

3. Learning from the Best: A native of Florida, Hankerson played at the University of Miami and spends time in the Sunshine State training with one of the NFL's all-time best receivers, Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Cris Carter. The type of workouts Carter puts his athletes through are the same kind that earned him a bust in Canton. Look for Hankerson to display all of his hard work with Carter on the field in 2015 and beyond.

4. Representing "The U”: The University of Miami (Fla.) has a strong reputation for the familial bond among its players, during college and far beyond. Hankerson arrives in Atlanta to new Falcons teammates, each a Hurricanes alum, wide receiver Devin Hester, guard Harland Gunn and punter Matt Bosher.

#RiseUp #DirtyBirds Blessed and Thankful 🙏 https://t.co/LezUJsY90Y

— Leonard Hankerson (@HankTime85) March 11, 2015

5. Path to the Falcons: Hankerson began his NFL career after a busy draft day in 2011. He was selected by the Redskins with their third-round pick (79th overall), which came in addition to a fifth-round pick (146th overall) and a seventh-round pick (217th overall) via trade with the Miami Dolphins, who received a second-round pick in the same draft (62nd overall). Following his three seasons in Washington, Hankerson landed in Atlanta on the second day of 2015 NFL free agency, excited about the upcoming season with the Falcons.


(falcons.com)

Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson’s visit to Atlanta has resulted in a deal with the Falcons.

Hankerson announced it was a “done deal” on Twitter Wednesday. The move draws an end to his tenure with the Redskins after four seasons.

We haven’t seen much of Hankerson on the field recently. He tore his ACL after playing 10 games in 2013 and remained on the PUP list well into the 2014 season as he waited for the knee to feel ready for a full return. He wound up playing in one game and didn’t have a catch.

The move to the Falcons reunites Hankerson with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who ran Washington’s offense while Hankerson was catching 81 passes for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns in his first three seasons. With Harry Douglas gone, Hankerson will compete for a role behind Julio Jones and Roddy White in Shanahan’s offense this season.


(profootballtalk.com)

Free agent wide receiver Leonard Hankerson is reportedly visiting the Falcons Tuesday, according to Yahoo Sports.

Hankerson has played all four seasons in the NFL with the Redskins, but played just one game in 2014. He's totaled 81 catches for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns in his four-year career.


(cbssports.com)

Position/name: Wide receiver/Leonard Hankerson
Age at start of season: 27
2014 cap number: $810,000
2014 stats: 1 game, 0 receptions

Background: Last year was a lost season for Hankerson as he spent 14 games either on the PUP list or as a game day inactive. It wasn’t his first lost season as he has played in 16 games just once in his four years in the league. Even in his full season his production was not that impressive as he caught 38 passes for 543 yards and three touchdowns in 2012. The Redskins have been waiting for his breakout season and they may or may not keep him around to see if he can have it in 2015.

Tandler: Go—Yes, I did write a couple of days ago that the Redskins could be looking for bigger wide receivers to help out in the red zone and at 6-2 Hankerson does fit that description. Well, he does according to the tape measure anyway. But he’s a big receiver who plays small. Hankerson has 81 career receptions, all with the Redskins. Can you recall any of them where he went up and outfought a smaller defensive back for the ball? There might be a few times he did it but using his height to his advantage is not a hallmark of his play; he is a big receiver who plays small. Add in his durability problems and you have a player you can let walk.

El-Bashir: Stay (for now)—I’d be in favor of re-signing Hankerson with the intention of giving him one more shot to prove he can 1) stay healthy and 2) help the team. Given his injury history, I’m not convinced he can stay healthy. But I do recall his productive 2012 campaign (16 games, 38 catches, 543 yards, 3 touchdowns), so I’m also not ready to give up on the former third round pick, particularly since the Redskins have spent four years developing him. I say sign Hankerson to the veteran minimum, with no guaranteed money, and include bonuses for making the 53-man roster, for being active on game days and perhaps some additional incentives. If he makes the team, great. If he pushes No. 3 wide receiver Andre Roberts and second year player Ryan Grant, even better. If he can't, no big deal. It will be time for both sides to move on.   


(csnwashington.com)

ASHBURN, Va. -- Leonard Hankerson isn’t sure what to expect, and that’s not surprising. The Redskins aren’t sure exactly what’s going to happen either now that they have another receiver in the rotation.

Hankerson will play his first game this season on Sunday, after missing the first nine thanks to ACL surgery last December. Now that he’s back, the Redskins have seven receivers (unless they opt to release one of them to make room for nose tackle Barry Cofield’s return this week).

And that means someone will get less playing time. Clearly it won’t be any of the top three wideouts -- DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Andre Roberts. It's hard to imagine much changing with how they've been used and how many targets they receive. If Hankerson is comfortable in the offense, he provides the Redskins a receiver who can run routes from various positions and, at 6-foot-2, he's also their tallest. His blocking isn’t bad, either.

It could be -- and should be, if he’s right -- that Hankerson plays ahead of Santana Moss and even Ryan Grant. It’s hard to see how Aldrick Robinson would be active with Hankerson around if he couldn’t be without him on the roster.

“It’s a tough deal,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. “The receiving room is very full, and they’re all very good. Santana can be productive in a lot of offenses. Same with Aldrick, and now you throw Leonard into the mix, and he’s another one [who] is a big receiver that has great hands and runs good routes. So, how we are going to use him, I don’t know yet.”

Hankerson isn’t worried about that just yet.

“I’ll do what I can to help the team, whatever it is -- whether it’s just standing on the sidelines or dressed,” he said.

Of course, a player in his spot wants to play as much as possible. Hankerson is in the final year of his contract. He needs to show the rest of the NFL that he’s healthy and can still play. But considering he’s played in 30 NFL games and missed 27, Hankerson won’t be in line for a big deal anyway. He has 81 career receptions and six touchdowns.

“That’s all individual stuff,” he said. “I’m not really caring about something individual. It’s all about wins and losses.”


(espn.com)

Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson went through his first practice as a member of the 53-man roster Monday after spending the past three weeks waiting for his activation from the physically unable to perform list. Now, he will try to earn a spot in the rotation for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Coach Jay Gruden said he doesn’t yet know how the team will use the fourth-year wide receiver. But Hankerson, who spent the offseason, preseason and first six weeks of the regular season rehabbing after surgery to repair a torn ACL, said he’s ready to help in any way possible.

“Everybody brings a whole lot to the table, but I just go out there and, I feel like I run good routes, I get open,” Hankerson said. “I do a whole lot of good things. But it’s just about helping the team out and doing whatever I can do at the time, whenever my number is called to make a play.”

The Redskins activated Hankerson from the PUP list last Tuesday, the day players departed for their bye-week getaways. Hankerson had practiced the previous three weeks, but was not permitted to play. Now, he faces the possibility of suiting up Sunday in what will represent his first game since Nov. 17, 2013.
However, Hankerson first must carve out a role for himself in what is already a crowded receiving unit.

DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon are the starters, and Andre Roberts joins them as the slot receiver in many of the team’s frequently-used three-receiver sets. Rookie Ryan Grant has played sparingly in each of this season’s games, and 14th-year veteran Santana Moss has dressed for the last four games while receiving only a handful of snaps. Aldrick Robinson dressed for the first five games but has been inactive for the last four.

Gruden and offensive coordinator Sean McVay have hardly used receivers beyond Jackson, Garcon and Roberts (Grant has five catches on 10 targets and Robinson one on three. Moss has no targets).

Because of needs at other positions, Redskins coaches find it hard to justify keeping six wide receivers, especially if none outside of Grant regularly play on special teams units.

The 6-foot-2, 211-pound Hankerson boasts great size and versatility. In his three NFL seasons, he has lined up at all three receiver positions depending on the situation. But he does not have extensive special teams experience, which hurts his case.

“It’s a tough deal,” Gruden said. “The wide receiving room is very full and they’re all very good, actually, I think. The guys that aren’t playing or aren’t really producing are still excellent wideouts. I think Santana could be very productive in a lot of offenses. Same with Aldrick. Now you throw Leonard in the mix and he’s another one that’s a big receiver that has great hands and runs good routes. So how we’re going to use him, I don’t know yet. It’s better to have too many than not enough, I guess. But I’m sure it’s frustrating for those guys who aren’t getting the touches, and sometimes it’s frustrating for the guys who are playing who aren’t getting enough touches. We’ve just got to continue to go about our business and focus on winning games and not so much worry about the touches. The touches will come for everybody. But we just have to manage it the best way we can, and we don’t know how that’s going to be yet.”

Hankerson, who is in the last year of his contract, said he understands the challenging decision his coaches face. He added that competing in a crowded receiving unit also doesn’t faze him.

“It’s been like that for me forever; since I was at Miami,” he said. “We brought in five, six receivers at one time. In college, most everybody played, but here, I mean, you’ve got to work for it. But we’re all competitive against each other and we’re going to push each other. … We’re all going to go out there and work hard. We’ve got a talented group. It’s got to be the best receiving corps in the league, and it’s about putting it together.”


(washingtonpost.com)

The jury is out on the quarterbacks in Washington and they’ll have another wide receiver available to help them make their case once they return from their bye week.

The Redskins announced Tuesday that they have activated Leonard Hankerson from the Physically Unable to Perform list. Hankerson tore his ACL last November and wasn’t able to get onto the practice field before the end of training camp, which led to his placement on the PUP list.

Hankerson, a 2011 third-round pick, caught 30 passes for 375 yards and three touchdowns before being injured last season. Hankerson started seven of the 10 games he played in 2013, but the additions of DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts mean he’ll be coming back to a very different depth chart than the one he was on last year. Ryan Grant has seen the fourth-most snaps among receivers this season, but that hasn’t amounted to much playing time.

The Redskins waived cornerback Chase Minnifield to make room for Hankerson on the roster.


(profootballtalk.com)

The Redskins are expected to active wide receiver Leonard Hankerson from the physically unable to perform list and add him to the 53-man active roster prior to this week's deadline, coach Jay Gruden told the media on Monday, per Comcast SportsNet Washington.

Hankerson suffered a torn ACL and LCL in November 2013. He had had 30 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns through 10 games and was on pace for a career season before getting hurt.


(cbssports.com)

Redskins wide receiver Leonard Hankerson is getting close to returning to the lineup, but he remains a “long shot” to play Monday night in Dallas, Coach Jay Gruden said.

“We have not made that decision yet,” Gruden said, referring to Hankerson’s timeline. “We’ve got a logjam at wide receiver.”

Hankerson started the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list while he continued to rehabbed from major knee surgery. The 25-year-old returned to practice on Oct. 15, opening a three week window for the Redskins to decide whether to activate him, place him on season-ending injured reserve or release him.

Based on Gruden’s comments, the Redskins intend to eventually activate Hankerson and cut another player to make room for him on the 53-man roster. The only question is when.

The Redskins currently have six wide receivers on the roster—Pierre Garçon, DeSean Jackson, Andre Roberts, Ryan Grant, Santana Moss and Aldrick Robinson. Gruden has typically had five receivers dress on game day, leaving either Moss or Robinson as the odd man out. When Hankerson returns, someone will have to go.

“Everybody knows with Santana and Aldrick, we’ve kind of been flip flopping them, who’s active, who’s not active,” Gruden said. “Both of them are very good wideouts, and then you throw Leonard into the mix.”

He added: “At this time, we haven’t made a decision as far as getting him [active] for this week. [But] it’ll be a long shot this week.”

Gruden has said in the past that he wants to give Hankerson time to get comfortable in the offense. And, indeed, after sitting out the preseason and the first seven games, Hankerson needs some practice reps.

But he already has something no other receiver on the roster possesses: height. At 6-2, he’s two-inches taller than any other player at his position.


(csnwashington.com)

Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Monday defensive lineman Stephen Bowen (knee) and wide receiver Leonard Hankerson (knee) will return to practice this week. Both players are on the PUP list and eligible to return Week 7 vs. Tennessee.




(cbssports.com)

Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson said that he felt like he could’ve opened the regular season on the active roster if the team had let him. The Redskins instead opted to place the fourth-year pass catcher on the regular season physically unable to perform list. And so, Hankerson says he will continue working, with the goal of returning to the field in Week 7.

Hankerson last November tore both the anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his left knee. He spent the offseason and all of training camp and the preseason rehabilitating, but didn’t practice with the team while on the PUP list.

Hankerson had hoped to come off the PUP list late in the preseason and prove himself capable of playing at a high level in time to earn a roster spot for the regular season. But he said on Wednesday that orthopedist James Andrews, who conducted the surgery on his knee, recommended the team wait longer to activate him.

Since Redskins brass placed him on the regular-season PUP list, Hankerson said he will just keep working to further strengthen his surgically repaired knee. Because he’s on the PUP list, Hankerson is not eligible to return to action, even in a practice capacity, until after Week 6.

“Obviously, I would like to be playing. I didn’t feel like I would be rushing myself back too soon,” said Hankerson, who last season started seven of the 10 games he played in, recording 30 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns. “Ultimately, it was up to them – up to Dr. Andrews, up to the training staff and the coaches – on what they wanted to do. Dr. Andrews is the guru on this. He recommended it.”

Hankerson has been running full speed since the first week of August. Each day, while his teammates practice, he works with the strength and conditioning coaches to improve his speed, quickness and mobility.

But he said Andrews’s preference not to clear him at the start of the regular season centered around concerns that Hankerson’s LCL may not have strengthened to the point to give him the needed stability required to quickly change directions.

“Being that I’m at the position of receiver, with the LCL and no knee brace, he didn’t want me to risk anything,” Hankerson said.

Hankerson said he had mixed feelings about the decision, but says ultimately, he knows that it was made because Andrews and the team want the best for him.

“They could’ve just turned me out there or rushed me out there,” Hankerson said. “I just have to keep grinding. I’ve been working hard, so, another six weeks.”


(washingtonpost.com)

NEWS UPDATE
Hankerson (knee) will not play this preseason and is hopeful of avoiding the Redskins' PUP list to begin this season, ESPN Radio 980 in D.C. reports.

ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
Hankerson, who currently remains on the PUP list, says he's about two weeks away from being ready health-wise, so he'll be subject of a close decision to make Washington's active regular season roster. With the wideout still recovering from knee ligament surgery last fall, players like Ryan Grant and Aldrick Robinson have passed Hankerson on the depth chart, while offseason additions DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts have pushed him back even further. With that in mind, Hankerson faces an increasingly tough challenge to earn targets for the Redskins this season.


v(rotowire.com)

Long after practice had ended Friday morning, Leonard Hankerson and Kirk Cousins walked to the far end of the main practice field at Redskins Park.

Cousins removed his helmet and grabbed a ball. And Hankerson, nearly nine months removed from left knee surgery, ran routes and caught passes from the backup quarterback for about 20 minutes.

The extra session marked a small but significant step in Hankerson’s rehabilitation process. The wide receiver, who is on the physically-unable-to-perform list, said it was the most substantial work he’s done since tearing the ACL and LCL in his left knee Nov. 17.

“I feel like I’m close,” Hankerson said. “It’s coming along, it’s coming along well. I just got to keep grinding, keep listening to the coaches, my strength and conditioning coach, doing what he’s telling me to do. And when he gives me the thumbs up, I’ll be ready to go.”

Hankerson spent all of training camp working on an auxiliary field, running routes and participating in agility drills. On Friday, he was running routes at nearly full speed.

As he enters his fourth season in the NFL, Hankerson said he is waiting to see orthopedic surgeon James Andrews and hopes to then be cleared to return to practice. However, he does not know when that meeting will occur.

“I’m still grinding right now,” Hankerson said, “and whenever they tell me that he’s available or he’s coming up or whatever, that’s when I’ll see him.”



While Hankerson has been relegated to the sidelines, a number of wide receivers have made the most of their opportunities in camp. Rookie Ryan Grant has drawn praise from the coaching staff for his crisp route-running ability. Aldrick Robinson has shown his speed down the field and improvement on intermediate routes.

If Grant, Robinson and veteran Santana Moss solidify their spots on the roster alongside DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Andre Roberts, Hankerson could be the odd man out. But he said that won’t push him to rush back to the field more quickly.

“That’s not a thought at all,” he said. “I mean, I went to the University of Miami. I always had guys come in every year. That’s part of your job. No matter what type of job you have. Somebody’s coming for your job. Somebody’s coming for my job. That’s just the nature of the game. I can’t worry about what’s going on when I’m not there. I just got to worry about what I can control and right now, that’s rehab.”


(washingtontimes.com)

Redskins coach Jay Gruden acknowledged Thursday that reserve/PUP is a realistic option for WR Leonard Hankerson (ACL, LCL surgery).

Rookie Ryan Grant's strong training camp has given the Redskins reason to be patient with Hankerson, who underwent surgery last November. At age 25, Hankerson's career has reached a crossroads with a new regime in D.C.


(rotoworld.com)

RICHMOND — Redskins wide receiver Leonard Hankerson continues to improve while recovering from last fall’s surgery to repair ligaments in his knee. He soon will meet with Dr. James Andrews to see if he’s ready to be cleared for practice.

Hankerson, entering his fourth season, is on the physically unable to perform list while he continues his rehabilitation.

Washington’s trainers and strength coaches have worked with the former third-round pick to help him improve his strength and explosiveness. Hankerson said during the first week of training camp that he could tell he hadn’t yet completely regained his speed.

But Hankerson has observed progress since then.

“I’m getting better every day,” he said.

On Sunday, he did a series of sprints with a sled and 90 pounds of additional weight strapped to him.

Hankerson will not receive clearance until he meets with Andrews, who conducted his surgery. The receiver said that he expects to meet with the surgeon next week.

After the meeting — and depending on the findings — a target date for Hankerson’s return will be set, he said.

The knee injury represented the second major injury of Hankerson’s young career. He missed half of his rookie season with a torn labrum in his hip, and then missed six games with the torn ACL last season. He played all 16 games in his second season and recorded a career-high 38 catches for 543 yards and three touchdowns. Hankerson was on pace to set new career highs last season, having notched 30 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns before being lost for the season.

(washingtonpost.com)

RICHMOND – With the sleeves of his white practice jersey rolled up to his shoulders, Leonard Hankerson paced the sidelines, watching as the Washington Redskins‘ offense continued on without him.

Now eight months removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, Hankerson still has no idea when he’ll be medically cleared to rejoin his teammates on the practice field.

The wide receiver was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list when training camp opened last Wednesday.

“I don’t know why they say seven to nine months, because seven is not the case at all,” Hankerson said, referring to his initial prognosis. “At seven months, I couldn’t even think about playing football. I could say right around nine to 11 months, because seven to nine months is not realistic at all.”

Hankerson, entering his fourth season, tore the ligaments in the Redskins‘ loss at Philadelphia on Nov. 17 and underwent surgery four days later. He finished the year with 30 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns, starting seven of 10 games and playing approximately 57 percent of all offensive snaps until his injury.

The Redskins signed wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts during the offseason, and over the first five days of training camp, they’ve joined Pierre Garçon as the team’s top three receivers.

With new coach Jay Gruden also praising veteran Santana Moss and rookie Ryan Grant, it’s plausible Hankerson could see his role minimized when he’s able to return – especially if the Redskins keep only six receivers on their initial 53-man roster.

“That’s why every day is pretty much an interview, and I can’t do anything until I get out there,” Hankerson said. “My main thing right now is just to get back to 100 percent, and whenever I get back to 100 percent, I can focus on getting back [on the field] and making plays.”

Restricted to running routes on a side field and sprinting before or after practice, Hankerson doesn’t feel the need to hurry back to play in a preseason game.

He also doesn’t want to measure himself against other players who have returned from similar injuries, such as quarterback Robert Griffin III – who returned to practice at the start of training camp a year ago just six and a half months after surgery – or cornerback Richard Crawford, who needed almost 11 months after getting hurt last preseason.

“Everybody heals different. Everybody reacts different,” Hankerson said. “It’s just about staying patient and grinding with the rehab.”


(washingtontimes.com)

RICHMOND, Va. -- Here is what Washington Redskins receiver Leonard Hankerson knows: His knee felt good Friday, something it did not feel Monday or Tuesday.

Here is what he doesn’t know: When he will be at, or near, 100 percent healthy and ready to return.

Hankerson tore his left ACL and lateral collateral ligament last season. After surgery in late November, the Redskins said he faced a seven-to-nine month recovery. He’s in the eighth month of his recovery.

“I don’t know if it’s a week or two or three weeks or a month, two,” Hankerson said. “I don’t know. I have no clue. When I came out here Monday, Tuesday I was positive I can’t go, I can’t go. When I came out today, I felt like I can go out there and make plays. I know that’s not the case. I have to keep being patient and keep working.”

Hankerson runs sprints and routes on side fields during practices. But he’s not sure how fast he’s really able to run. He just knows it’s not 100 percent.

“It’s about having some confidence in it, feeling like its 95, 100 percent,” Hankerson said. “I know I don’t have that explosion yet. When I come out here and run routes, it’s not explosive. I know that. There is no need for me to go on the field because I’m not there. I’d probably embarrass myself.”

Hankerson said it’s not hard for him to be patient for one reason: It’s his career. He’s entering the last season of his rookie contract and if he returned before he felt ready, then further damage would have a huge negative impact.

“It’s bigger than just going out there and trying to get back and having fun with teammates,” Hankerson said. “That’s why the main thing is to keep being patient and get to 95, 100 percent to where I know I can go out there and be explosive and making plays and not worrying about getting bumped.”

Nor is he worried about the preseason. Hankerson isn’t battling for a starting job, but the Redskins do have a new offense. Even if it’s similar to their previous one, there is still an adjustment period.

Again, Hankerson does not want to rush back for a preseason game.

“No, man. I’m not worried about the preseason,” he said. “I’m not rushing back. It’s about being healthy. I mean, my health is more important than the preseason. What do you gain from the preseason? Nothing. Yeah it helps guys get better, but I would rather be 100 percent before I step on the field.”


(espn.com)

RICHMOND – Defensive ends Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher, wide receiver Leonard Hankerson and offensive lineman Maurice Hurt will all begin training camp with the Washington Redskins on the physically-unable-to-perform list, coach Jay Gruden said Wednesday.

Gruden said he did not want to estimate when any of the players would be able to return, though he conceded that Hatcher, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on June 19, should be the first one to return.

Hankerson tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee in the Redskins‘ loss at Philadelphia on Nov. 17, and he wasn’t expected to be healthy for the start of training camp.

Hurt will enter training camp on the PUP list for the second consecutive season because he is out of shape. He also missed all of 2013 after he showed up to training camp out of shape last year.

“He came in a little bit out of shape and we’ll just go from there,” Gruden said. “We’ll make sure we monitor his condition moving forward.”

Cornerbacks Tracy Porter and Richard Crawford have been fully cleared and will begin training camp with no restrictions. Porter, who signed a two-year, $6 million contract in March, had surgery to repair a torn the labrum in one of his shoulders before offseason workouts began, while Crawford tore the ACL and LCL in the Redskins‘ preseason victory over Buffalo on Aug. 24.


(washingtontimes.com)

In the aftermath of the 2011 NFL Draft, Leonard Hankerson claimed he was better than every wide receiver selected before him -- including A.J. Green and Julio Jones.

Now Hankerson's Washington Redskins future is up in the air.

Coming off reconstructive knee surgery, Hankerson had yet to receive medical clearance by the end of offseason practices in late June. He's a candidate to open training camp on the physically unable to perform list, per The Washington Post.Having displaced Josh Morgan as the starter opposite Pierre Garcon early last season, Hankerson was on pace for career-highs across the board when he tore his ACL and LCL in November.

Now that the Redskins have added DeSean Jackson, Andre Roberts and impressive rookie Ryan Grant, Hankerson will be no higher than fourth or fifth on the depth chart if he recaptures pre-injury form. More likely, he will open the season on the PUP list while the organization tries to figure out his role in Jay Gruden's offense.

Hankerson will never come close to matching the careers of Green and Jones, two of the NFL's premier wideouts. At this point, it's fair to question whether he will ever start another game in the NFL.


(nfl.com)

Nobody is sure when Leonard Hankerson will return from a knee injury he suffered last season.

The wide receiver, who is going into his fourth NFL season, tore his ACL in Philadelphia on Nov. 17. That was seven months ago and the normal recovery period for such an injury ranges from seven to nine months.

But Jay Gruden cautioned against using the calendar to set expectations for Hankerson. “It’s totally different,” he said. “Different guys handle it [differently] at different positions and the rehab could be longer for certain guys, so we’ll wait and see.”

Redskins training camp will open on July 24 and while Hankerson is optimistic about being ready he is of the same mindset as is his coach.

“I should be good by training camp but you never know,” he said. “Hopefully no setbacks or anything like that.

“I just got to keep working, keep pushing. Keep doing the little things I’m doing every day and keep moving forward and hopefully no setbacks.”

Hankerson needs to get back on the field to fight for playing time. The Redskins signed receivers Andre Roberts and DeSean Jackson during the offseason, pushing hi further down the depth chart. But Hankerson understands why.

“We needed help all the way around,” he said. “We won three games last year so something had to happen. Andre Roberts, DeSean, two great players.”
He also has to learn Jay Gruden’s offense. While both Gruden’s and Mike Shanahan’s schemes are in the West Coast family there are distinct differences that Hankerson has to get up to speed on.

“We have meetings every day,” he said. “We’re learning it. Every time you get a new coach there’s always going to be some different things. I should have it once I get out there and start running this stuff.”


(csnwashington.com)

Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson says there’s no firm timetable yet for him to resume practicing with the Washington Redskins as he works his way back from knee surgery in November.

“I’m feeling pretty good right now,” Hankerson said this week at Redskins Park. “I’ve been out here moving around a whole lot more. I’m seven months out now. So I’ve probably got another couple months to go. I should be good by training camp but you never know. Hopefully [there will be] no setbacks or nothing like that. But I’m feeling good right now.”

Hankerson’s anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his left knee were repaired after he was hurt during a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I’ve just got to keep working, just keep pushing, keep doing the little things I’m doing,” he said. “I’m out here working each and every day, moving forward and hopefully no setbacks and I should be good to go.”

Hankerson had 30 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games last season. The former third-round draft choice has 81 catches for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns in three NFL seasons. The Redskins upgraded their wide receiver corps in the offseason by signing DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts as free agents.

“It’s coming along pretty well,” Hankerson said. “We needed help all the way around. We won three games last year. So, I mean, something had to happen. Andre Roberts, DeSean, two great players. We should have a pretty good year this year.”

Once he gets healthy, Hankerson must work to adjust to the offensive system of the team’s new head coach, Jay Gruden.


(washingtonpost.com)

Redskins WR Leonard Hankerson (knee) said he has a "couple more months to go" in his rehab.

"Should be good by training camp, but you never know," Hankerson continued. The fourth-year receiver tore his ACL and LCL in Week 11. The Redskins have since added Andre Roberts and DeSean Jackson in free agency, and drafted Ryan Grant in the fourth round. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, HankTime is squarely on the roster bubble. He'll need a strong preseason.


(rotoworld.com)

Redskins WR Leonard Hankerson may not be fully recovered from his LCL/ACL surgery until the start of training camp.

With a new coaching staff in D.C., Hankerson will be behind the eight ball when the Redskins open training camp. He's already below DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Andre Roberts on the depth chart, while Santana Moss remains a useful spot player, and Ryan Grant was added in the draft. By September, it's quite possible Hankerson will be on the outside looking in at a roster spot.


(rotoworld.com)

Leonard Hankerson (knee, injured reserve) has been diagnosed with a torn ACL in addition to his torn LCL.

The discovery was made during HankTime's Thursday operation to repair his LCL. Whereas before Hankerson could have possibly been ready for OTAs, he's now questionable for training camp. It shouldn't cloud Hankerson's status with the Redskins, however. Going into the final year of his rookie contract, HankTime is signed for an affordable $645,000 in 2014. He'll have to be 100 percent to earn a starting job in camp.


(rotoworld.com)

The Washington Redskins have announced that wide receiver Leonard Hankerson is done for the year with a torn LCL in his left knee that will require surgery.  Hankerson was placed on injured reserve from the injury that happened in the first quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles this past Monday, which the Redskins lost.

This year, little has gone well in Washington but Hankerson started showing some ability to be a contributor.  While he needs to show more going forward, Hankerson had become the second receiver on the Redskins and had 30 catches for 375 yards and 3 touchdowns with 5 catches over 20 yards.

The timing of the injury is particularly frustrating as Hankerson was coming off back to back games with 5 catches each and only one target that did not result in a catch.  Hankerson also averaged 11.6 yards per catch.  How he recovers from the surgery will be important but the Redskins hoped what Hankerson was showing them can be something they can get in 2014 on a consistent basis.  The Redskins are just 3-7 and it does not get any easier as they prepare to host the San Francisco 49ers this week.


(fansided.com)

The Redskins might be without wide receiver Leonard Hankerson for an extended period after he suffered a knee injury on Sunday.

Washington Redskins wide receiver Leonard Hankerson has an LCL injury in his left knee, but it has not yet been determined if he will require surgery to repair the injury, according to Mark Maske of the Washington Post.

Hankerson, 24, was a third-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft and didn't play much in his rookie season after suffering a hip injury that ended his season early. Since then, he has developed into a solid contributor and has tallied 30 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns.

If Hankerson misses extended time for the Redskins, they will rely on Aldrick Robinson, Santana Moss and Joshua Morgan to take larger roles in the Washington offense.

The Redskins have the sixth-ranked offense in the NFL, but are 13th in points scored. Quarterback Robert Griffin III has posted 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the team.


(philly.com)

Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson, according to the coach, has a “possible” lateral collateral ligament injury and will have an MRI exam Monday as well.

Hankerson said after the game that he wasn’t overly concerned, but he admitted that he didn’t know for sure how badly he was or wasn’t hurt.

“It’s cool. I can’t really tell you because I feel good right now,” the third-year pro said. “I’m just taking it precautionary and figuring it out in the morning.”

Biggers suffered his injury early in the game and briefly returned. Bowen also made a brief return before exiting for good in the second half. Hankerson was seen jogging on the sideline following his initial injury, but he never returned to the game.


(washingtonpost.com)

Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson is coming off of two of the most productive performances of his career, but he said that nothing has changed about his approach.

In his past two games, Hankerson has recorded 10 catches for 116 yards while serving as the secondary wide receiver opposite No. 1 wideout Pierre Garcon.

Hankerson recorded five catches for 55 yards with a long of 23 against San Diego. On Thursday against Minnesota, he had five catches for 61 yards with a long of 29.

“I just be out there doing my job,” Hankerson said on Monday. “Working hard every day at practice, being in the meeting room, listening to the coaches and what they’re saying. Like I said, just doing my job.”

Hankerson played 34 of the 75 offensive snaps against San Diego, and his productivity earned him more playing time the next game as he took 42 of the 79 snaps against Minnesota. Hankerson initially saw playing time fluctuate as he, Josh Morgan and Aldrick Robinson vied for time at the ‘Z’ receiver position. Hankerson said consistency in his approach has been the only key to his increased playing time and production.

“You do everything right. You go to practice, work hard and things practice. You just put the work in and everything happens out there,” Hankerson said. “I don’t really set any goal. I just go out there, make plays for the team, do my job and try to help my team come out on top. If you’re making plays, and you’re out there on the field, it always feels good to help your team out.”


(washingtonpost.com)

NEWS UPDATE
Hankerson caught five passes for 61 yards on five targets in Thursday's 34-27 loss to the Vikings.

ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
That makes two solid games in a row for Hankerson, who caught five passes for 55 yards against the Chargers last week. He had just four total receptions in the previous three games, as he was rather quiet from Weeks 2-8. Despite the inconsistent production, Hankerson's targets have actually been fairly steady, with no fewer than three and no more than seven in any game. Both Hankerson and Santana Moss appear to have limited upside, so long as Pierre Garcon and TE Jordan Reed stay healthy.


(rotowire.com)

With his team still waiting for a player to establish himself as a consistent pass-catching threat opposite Pierre Garcon, third-year wide receiver Leonard Hankerson on Sunday turned in one of the better performances of his career as the Redskins defeated the Chargers.

Targeted six times against the Chargers, Hankerson recorded five catches for 55 yards as the Redskins improved to 3-5 with the 30-24 overtime win. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan on Monday evening praised Hankerson’s efforts — some of which didn’t show up in the statistical report.

“Well, more than just stepping up — and you see the catches –— what we see is every play that he’s in the game, both in the running game and the passing game,” Shanahan said. “If the quarterback did go to him, is he open? And he played a very good game. He stepped up and did a lot of good things that if the quarterback would have looked his way, would he have been open or not? The majority of the time he would have. He played an excellent game.”

Prior to Sunday, Hankerson had only 19 catches for 254 yards and three touchdowns with five of those receptions and 80 of those yards and two touchdowns coming in the season opener. He had yet to make a consistent impact in the games since the opener, however.

As a result, the Redskins had rotated Hankerson, Josh Morgan and Aldrick Robinson in and out at that  ‘Z’ receiver position. But none had emerged as true complement to Garcon.

Those inconsistencies had prompted Shanahan to say last week, “I think we do have a second guy,” Coach Mike Shanahan said. “Who that guy is right now, I’m not sure. But we’ve got guys competing, and we’re going to have a guy step up. We’ve got guys with the ability to be a number two, but you want to take control, and that takes everybody. . . . When they go in and they get an opportunity, then they better show us that they deserve to be in there more time, and if you do, then you’ll stay in there longer. If you don’t do something outstanding and you’re full speed, the chances are you’re not going to be in there all the time.”

Hankerson took a step toward doing that this past week when he proved himself to be more sure-handed than in previous games and made tough catches to bail out Robert Griffin III and the offense and keep the chains moving. Now, Hankerson and the Redskins will see if the former third-round pick is capable of making those types of solid performances more of a regular occurrence in the second half of the season.


(washingtonpost.com)

Leonard Hankerson caught five passes for 55 yards in Sunday's Week 9 overtime win over the Chargers.
Hankerson continues to play the possession, blocking complement at Z receiver. It's a role that doesn't have any upside in the Shanahan and Son offense. Hankerson is on pace for 48 catches, 618 yards and six touchdowns. It's a pace we'd expect him to maintain.


(rotoworld.com)

Washington Redskins wide receiver Leonard Hankerson missed Wednesday’s practice while nursing a foot injury suffered earlier this week.

Coach Mike Shanahan said that the third-year wideout hurt his foot while playing with his children on Tuesday. Hankerson stood on the sideline and caught passes from an assistant coach during the warmup portion of Wednesday’s practice.


(washingtonpost.com)

Third-year wide receiver Leonard Hankerson continues to show signs of development as he made his third consecutive start and recorded four catches for 49 yards. Hankerson’s most crucial counting as a 17-yard reception on third-and-three to set Washington up to take a third-quarter lead that the team never relinquished.

Pierre Garcon remains the team’s clear-cut No. 1 threat, but Hankerson has started establishing himself as a reliable No. 2 threat for the Redskins.

“That’s what you have to do: You have to make plays,” Hankerson said. “I saw I was in one-on-one coverage, got open and Robert made a great throw. I’m just trying to give my all out there — do what I can do, whether it’s catching the ball, getting upfield, getting a first down.”

Through four games, Hankerson ranks third on the team with 15 catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns. He is on pace to record a 60 catches for 740 yards and eight touchdowns. Those would all count as career highs for Hankerson, who had just 13 catches for 163 yards in an injury-shortened rookie season and then recorded 38 receptions for 543 yards and three touchdowns last year.

Hankerson rarely has struggled to create separation from defensive backs. But consistency proved the biggest struggle for him. He would make a tough catch here and there, and then would get open and drop the ball on what looked like routine plays. But this season, the Miami product appears to have begun turning the corner.

“Hank’s always been one of our best guys in terms of separation, and that’s usually one of the first things you look for in a receiver,” offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said. “Hank’s just been a little up and down when he has separated over the years – finishing a play. He’s done a good job of that the last couple weeks. He’s getting separation, he’s making the catch, he’s getting up the field, making some plays after the catch. And if he keeps doing that, he’s can have a great career because he’s got the skills to separate, he’s a big guy with got good hands. It’s just the consistency that we’ve talked about with him, and he’s been consistent the last few weeks and I think the results are showing everyone else.”

Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said continuity and health throughout the offseason has benefited Hankerson in his development. Hankerson as a rookie didn’t have an offseason to work with his coaches because of the NFL lockout. Then last year, he spent the summer rehabbing from hip surgery rather than practicing with the team. Fully healthy in this calendar year, he didn’t miss an offseason practice. The work and improved knowledge is manifesting itself on the field, Shanahan said.

“Hank is really playing well. When he gets the opportunity to set guys up one-on-one, he usually wins,” Shanahan said. “He’s one of the guys that has size, has strength and is becoming more comfortable not only with the system, but with himself. It’s nice to have a guy that’s healthy all the way through the summer, through the offseason, training camp, and he’s been able to do that. Therefore, you can see the progress that he’s made.”


(washingtonpost.com)

Leonard Hankerson caught four passes for 49 yards in the Redskins' Week 4 win over the Raiders.
He was targeted seven times, playing ahead of Josh Morgan for the third straight week. Hankerson is big and runs savvy routes, but he's not an explosive player and lacks sure hands. He's a WR3/4 in fantasy leagues. The Redskins have a bye week coming up. Keep Hankerson rostered on your own whims.


(rotoworld.com)

After receiving a relatively even allotment of playing time in each of the Washington Redskins’ first two games of the season as they split time at the ‘Z’ receiver spot, Leonard Hankerson and Joshua Morgan saw their snap counts trend in opposite directions in Sunday’s loss to the Lions.

Dating from last season, Hankerson and Morgan have alternated frequently opposite No. 1 wide receiver Pierre Garcon. Morgan last season recorded 48 passes for 510 yards and two touchdowns while starting 15 games. Hankerson in 2012 made five starts and recorded 38 catches for 543 yards and three touchdowns.

During training camp and the preseason, the two continued alternating as they competed for the starting job at the ‘Z’ position.

Against Philadelphia, Morgan got the start opposite Garcon and played 34 offensive snaps (45 percent of the plays) while Hankerson played 41 snaps (55 percent). Hankerson recorded five catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets. Morgan, meanwhile, had four catches for 51 yards on five targets.

The following week against Green Bay, Hankerson got the start and played 30 snaps (49 percent) while Morgan played 26 (43 percent). Hankerson had three catches for 35 yards on three targets while Morgan caught two of six balls that came his way for 39 yards. Morgan in that game committed a glaring error by tipping a pass up into the air for a Green Bay interception.

This past week, Hankerson got his second consecutive start, but his playing time increased. He played 54 snaps (70 percent) while Morgan was on the field for only 24 offensive snaps (31 percent). Hankerson recorded three catches for 21 yards on seven targets. Meanwhile, Robert Griffin III targeted Morgan two times and Morgan caught both passes while recording 19 receiving yards.

Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said Hankerson earned an increase in playing time because he stood out more than Morgan the previous week. But he added that the team has an ongoing competition on its hands.

“We thought [Hankerson] had a better game the week before so we gave [him] a few more reps than we did [Morgan] just because of his play the week before,” Shanahan said. “A lot of competition there for playing time.”

Hankerson entered this season hoping to display improved consistency after being plagued by frequent drops last season. The third-year pro also hoped a healthy offseason for the first time in his young career would lead to more development.

Morgan, who signed with Washington as a free agent last season, played all of the 2012 season with seven screws and a plate in his right ankle. That made it hard for him to make certain cuts because the pain proved too great. He had the screws and plate removed over the offseason and also banked on improved health for increased success.

Asked about improvements he has noticed in Morgan’s game, Shanahan said: “He’s much better than he was a year ago, there is no question about it, but there is still that competition. People are fighting for playing time. You’ve got two guys that are close, and each game dictates how much they will play the following week.”


(washingtonpost.com)

Leonard Hankerson started the Redskins' Week 2 loss to the Packers, catching three passes for 35 yards.

It was just HankTime's seventh career start. He caught Robert Griffin III's first pass of the game, but had a quiet day thereafter as the Redskins got blown out in Green Bay. Although it's possible Hankerson may have finally overtaken Josh Morgan as a starter for good, he hasn't done enough to suggest he's a weekly WR3. He was also out-targeted 6-3 by Morgan, but notched one more catch. HankTime should remain limited to WR5 duties on your bench for the time being.


(rotoworld.com)

Coach Mike Shanahan was pleased with Leonard Hankerson's Week 1 opener, saying the third-year receiver "needs some playing time."
We take that as Hankerson is in line to see the field more after his five-catch, 80-yard, two-touchdown performance on Monday night against the Eagles. "What a lot of people don’t see is the routes he is running and when he doesn’t get the ball and he’s open," Shanahan continued. "That’s what you are impressed with." Hankerson played 44 snaps, while starting Z receiver Josh Morgan was on the field for 34 plays. Hankerson may be able to overtake Morgan by mid-season.


(rotoworld.com)

Leonard Hankerson caught five passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in the Redskins' Week 1 loss to the Eagles on Monday night.

Hankerson was targeted seven times on the night, scoring both of his touchdowns in the fourth quarter to give the Redskins a chance at a comeback win. His first score came from 10 yards out out of a bunch formation, while his second touchdown was a 24-yard strike with 1:14 left in the game. Eagles SS Patrick Chung let Hankerson slip behind him on the final score and badly misplayed the ball. Hankerson is a guy to keep an eye on in re-draft leagues, but he's going to struggle to post consistent numbers in a run-heavy offense. He also is behind Josh Morgan at Z receiver. Santana Moss mans the slot.


(rotoworld.com)

NORTH LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The two football fields at Lauderhill Middle School come alive each weeknight during the summer and fall. Youth football teams of all ages practice on their allotted sections of turf. Whistles chirp between the crunch of shoulder pads and helmets. Cheerleader squads rehearse their routines on the periphery.

Hundreds from this South Florida community — mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, cousins and grandparents — sit in lawn chairs or walk the fields and share each other’s company. They sell conch fritters at the concession stand and serve chocolate cupcakes in the parking lot.

On a Wednesday evening this summer, two hours after the day’s thunderstorm blew past, Leonard Hankerson II stared from the sideline as his 7-year-old son performed a tackling drill. Across the field, his 4-year-old daughter ran around with her fellow cheerleaders. At Hankerson’s feet, his 11-month-old son sat in his stroller delighted by the taste of a green watermelon lollipop. To Hankerson’s right stood his high school sweetheart and the mother of his three children, Marketria Smith.

Hankerson stood immersed in fatherhood, oblivious to the violence that changed his life just four miles south.

Lisa Williams, only 19, was seven months pregnant with her third child the night her boyfriend loaded his .38-caliber revolver and left to settle a dispute. His 6-foot-3 frame and special basketball talent once made college a possibility. He veered off, though, toward a life involving drugs, and in that world, resolving disagreements sometimes required firepower.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., sheriff’s deputies responded to a shooting at 1741 SW 40th Terrace, a section of Fort Lauderdale best avoided even in the daytime. Witnesses described to police a shootout that punctuated an argument about the location of a recent drug sale. Williams disputed that during an interview this summer, saying her boyfriend defended his sister in a confrontation unrelated to his drug dealings.

Whatever the circumstances, they yielded an uncompromising result. Her boyfriend, Leonard Hankerson, 23, lay dead near the street from a gunshot wound in his neck. Two men were arrested at the scene and later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Hankerson’s death so distressed Williams that her body could not hold the pregnancy. Twenty-seven days later, on Jan. 30, 1989, she gave birth to a healthy 8-pound, 6-ounce, 23-inch long boy. When it came time for her to choose a name, there really was no debate.

The boy would never know his father, but he would bear his name.

Now, Hankerson is experiencing what his father could not. Being a dad fortifies his identity as he becomes a man himself at age 24. He navigates typical challenges of fatherhood in an atypical dynamic: He is operating without a blueprint; he’s the product of a culture in which raising children is optional for fathers in many cases, and his job as a receiver for the Washington Redskins significantly impacts his role as a provider and caretaker for his children.

Hankerson doesn’t dwell on his father’s absence because he never knew anything else. Instead, he is driven by a fatherly instinct, an innate responsibility. It’s an uplifting example but not a fairy tale life. The obligations of fatherhood, his children’s needs and his own youth are too real for that.

“I love two things more than anything,” Hankerson said. “Football and my kids.”

At practice that day, Hankerson’s son missed a tackle when he ducked his head and couldn’t see the ballcarrier. Hankerson had not interjected his football acumen until now.

“You gotta keep your head up!” he yelled.

Smith leaned over and muttered: “You’re gonna have to teach him.”

The family dynamic
Hankerson’s kids perked up when the waiter served a plate of honey butter croissants at lunch. They’re an adorable trio whose bright personalities are outdone only by their energy.

All five family members go by nicknames. Just about everybody calls Hankerson “Hank,” including his kids sometimes. To his right sat 7-year-old Leonard III. They call him L.J., short for Leonard Jr., a misnomer with a tragic subtext.

Hank is the Redskins‘ quietest player, an observant man who usually speaks only when spoken to. L.J., on the other hand, always has something to say, whether he’s showing off the golf swing his dad taught him or a new game on his Nintendo DS. With his wide smile, earrings in both ears and fauxhawk haircut, he looks like an NFL wide receiver in training.

Lenaris — Naris, for short — sat in a booster seat next to L.J. He picked up the package of three crayons provided for kids by the restaurant and put it in his mouth. Hank told L.J. to replace the crayons with a French fry. Naris’ face illuminated when he tasted it, and Hank laughed.

Marketria, known as Kie Kie, is the glue that holds together the operation. She’s the fulltime caretaker. During the football season, she lives in North Lauderdale as a single mother of three. Her relationship with Hank is complicated by ups and downs not uncommon of a partnership between a 24- and 25-year-old.

She and Hank acknowledge they technically are not a couple right now, but “we’re communicating,” Hank said.

It’s obvious Kienarria, whom they call Na Na, has her father’s genes. She’s 4 going on 7. She’s strong enough to carry Naris up and down the stairs, and she’s only five pounds lighter than L.J. “Her feet are growing overnight,” Kie Kie said. “Pretty much every month she’s up another size.” The plastic beads in her hair augment her warm smile.

The family lunch, spurred by a reporter’s invitation, was one of their last experiences together before Hank left for training camp four days later. They generally dread his annual departure.

Football has a bilateral impact on Hank’s fatherhood. It enables him to provide for his loved ones well beyond his impoverished upbringing — he is scheduled to earn $580,000 this season, his third, according to league records. But it also pulls him away for half the year to Redskins headquarters in Ashburn.

Kie Kie and the kids could move to Northern Virginia, but Hank prefers his South Florida roots stay rooted, and changing the children's school district mid-year is not an option. So Kie Kie and Lisa commute to all 16 games, and they bring the kids to Washington for the eight home games.

“The kids, they kind of understand, but they don’t understand why we don’t stay with dad,” Kie Kie said. “It’s really hard for them, if anything. They like flying up and flying back, but they don’t like leaving him. That’s the hard part for the kids. It’s a lot on them.”

Kie Kie has help when she needs it. Her mom and Lisa are two of many extended family members who pitch in, similar to how Lisa had help raising her six children. But the daily routine during the football season casts Kie Kie in a solitary role.

“She do a great job,” Hank said. “It’s hard work 24 hours a day.”

Hank stays connected to his kids by video chatting over cell phone. L.J. got his own phone this year, partly because Kie Kie got tired of him hounding her for hers. L.J. calls him up to 50 times a day, Kie Kie said, and Hank confirmed that’s no exaggeration. The second grader just started riding the school bus for the first time; that’s usually when he calls.

“Daddy, what is you doing? When you coming over?” Hank said, recalling how his kids question him over the phone. “It’s bittersweet. I got to take care of my business.”

Hank is as much his children’s friend as their father, but he does discipline them when necessary. And along with the kids’ adoration for him comes respect.
When Hank asked L.J. to put his uniform on for practice, L.J. did. When Hank wanted Na Na to take her open can of strawberry soda off the couch and return it to the refrigerator, she did.

Near the end of the family’s lunch that day, an elderly man approached the table on his way out of the restaurant. Local fans sometimes recognize Hank because of his record-setting career at the University of Miami, but this man didn’t seem to make that connection.

“When I saw all the kids come in, I thought, ‘Oh, no, they’ll be raising Cain,’” the man said. “But no. Keep up the good work.”

Hank and Kie Kie thanked the man. When he was out of earshot, they glanced at each other and chuckled.

‘It was a struggle’
Kie Kie didn’t think she’d hear from Hank after he asked for her phone number that Saturday in the park more than eight years ago. He didn’t write it down, so how would he remember?

“Later that night he comes calling me, and he asked me what I was doing,” she recalled. “I asked him what he was doing, and he said, ‘Waiting for you to be my girlfriend.’ I was like, ‘OK?’ Just connected since that Saturday night. We moved so fast and got to know each other through that time.”

Hank’s life stabilized during that period in high school. It was difficult before then, although to hear him tell it: “I always felt like my life was good.”

One of Lisa’s six children is Leonard’s full biological sibling — Leonarda. She’s 25 with an 8-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter.

“It was a struggle for us,” she said. “I’m not going to say it was a good life. It was crazy. We wasn’t fortunate, and we wasn’t able to get anything we want.”
She and Hank frequently stayed with their paternal grandmother. To this day they remind her of her lost son.

“It’s only me and Leonard that she still babies,” Leonarda said.

Lisa and all six kids, and occasionally a couple other cousins, lived in a two-bedroom apartment at one time. She worked for the Broward County school system as a bus attendant and bus driver. “It was always chaotic,” she said. “I thank God for the help I did have.”

Lisa never had to worry about Hank acting out. He always has been self-disciplined. He never fought in school or stirred up any drama. He doesn’t drink alcohol.

“As far as a bad bone in his body, there isn’t one,” said George Smith, his high school football coach.

Being around so many children then helped Hank learn how to care for them. He would change their diapers and play games, following the lead of his mother and grandmother.

After Hank’s freshman year at Dillard High, a public school, he transferred to private St. Thomas Aquinas High. He was a standout basketball player like his father, but he decided to try football. It turned out his talent in that sport was even more elite.

“I think the place kind of encompassed him, and he thought this is a place I could be successful,” Smith said. “His entire culture changed, which meant that he changed this way of thinking about what the world was. That’s how I read it.”

Hank and Kie Kie’s relationship began during the summer after his 10th-grade year. She was a year ahead in school at Dillard. Within months, he began living with her. Hank was in 11th grade when Kie Kie got pregnant with L.J.

She worked at Lady Foot Locker and Victoria’s Secret. Hank washed cars for friends and neighbors for $20 per car.

“When you’re in high school,” he said, “that’s a lot of money.”

Kie Kie saw in her partner a dedication to her and their son. That continued when the family of three moved south after Hank began classes at Miami.

“I always felt like I was lucky because I watched all my other friends that had kids, and their baby dad wasn’t helping, wasn’t around, didn’t see them,” she said. “I just watched them struggle, I guess.

“But with Hank from high school and college, I felt like I was lucky because he was always here. We lived together. He helped me. So I always thought I was lucky even before he got to the NFL.”

In some ways, Kie Kie remembers those as easier times. His presence as a caretaker means that much to her and the children.

“If I could trade it in,” she said, “I would prefer him to be around more.”

Role model for teammate
Na Na held her daddy’s burgundy and gold football helmet with both hands while he spoke to a reporter coming off the practice field at training camp in Richmond last month. About 10 yards away, L.J. spotted his dad’s teammate, receiver Pierre Garcon, and raced over to request an autograph. Na Na toted the helmet as she went running after him.

Redskins receiver Aldrick Robinson, Hank’s closest friend on the team, has seen many of these moments since Washington drafted both of them in April 2011. In advance of his wife’s October due date — they’re expecting their first child, a son — he and Hank have discussed how to be a positive influence raising children.

“He always talk to his kids,” Robinson said. “He love his kids, and you can see it. When they around him, they don’t want to leave him. I look up to him as a father. I see how he handles his kids and everything. I plan to treat my kids the same way that he treats his kids.”

If Hank’s fatherless childhood motivates him, he does not admit it. Maybe he isn’t conscious of it.

It doesn’t, he said, because others filled the caretaker role when he was a boy. But Hank grew up without a dad who provided for him and the family. That’s an aspect of fatherhood at which he is determined to excel.

That would be more difficult if he weren’t making NFL money, although he did graduate from Miami with a degree in liberal arts.

Kie Kie admired how Hank pushed himself toward the financial security the NFL would provide. She recalled a conversation Hank had with his son while he was at Miami.

“I don’t remember what L.J. asked him, but I remember Hank saying, ‘That’s why Daddy working so hard, L.J., so you can have stuff.’ That stuck with me because he was only in college. He worked hard to make sure he improved to get that chance, training and everything.”

Now, L.J. and Na Na can navigate an iPad like pros. Kie Kie and the kids last month moved to a new apartment 10 minutes away because their old two-bedroom had been broken into three times since the spring. And Hank agreed to put Naris in day care until 2 p.m. each weekday to help Kie Kie’s workload and stress.

Hank extends that outreach beyond his kids. “I don’t want for nothing,” Lisa said. Leonarda knows she can ask her younger brother for help, but she’d rather follow his example.

“I’m happy that he made it the way he did, but I’m trying to get there, too,” she said. “I want a child care license for myself so maybe we could open a day care in the future.”

After practice that day in Richmond, when L.J. and Na Na finished chasing down their dad’s teammates, Hank spent a few minutes with them before he had to go shower and eat lunch.

His father didn’t have moments like that.

“I know I had a responsibility to my kids,” Hank said. “I mean, those are my kids. I’m sure there’s things I can do better. I know I’m not perfect. Na Na will say, “Daddy, you’re No. 1,’ so I know I’m doing something right.”

On other side of the rope that sections off the field from fans, Kie Kie stood wearing her Redskins T-shirt and holding Naris.

Next to them stood Lisa, as proud a mother as she could be.


(washingtontimes.com)

Leonard Hankerson, third year wide receiver for Washington, made a great one-hand grab climbing the ladder on a high pass to the back of the end zone from Rex Grossman. Grossman had to come in to the game in the first half after Kirk Cousins left with what appeared to be a foot or ankle injury after getting tackled near the sideline.

Since being drafted by the Washington Redskins in 2011, many Redskins fans feel wide receiver Leonard Hankerson hasn’t lived up to the reputation he had held at the University of Miami where he broke school records once held by Michael Irvin.

While fans might believe Hankerson has struggled or even been a waste of a draft pick, the truth is much different, in fact, Hankerson has been one of the Redskins more reliable receivers.

During his first season in 2011, Hankerson had the unfortunate task of being an NFL rookie during a lockout which left him unable to prepare as he normally would. In an interview during 2011, Hankerson admitted to that, “it is a lot harder because you have to just come in and learn so much in such a short time and be expected to go out and produce.”

To top it off, Hankerson suffered a torn labrum and subluxation of his right hip, ending his season during his first career start against the Miami Dolphins. While Hankerson only appeared in three games during 2011, he still managed to haul in 163 yards off of 13 receptions.

His sophomore year wouldn’t be any easier as he would have to learn an entirely new offense with the emergence of the option read; a system in which the wide receivers have multiple roles. When speaking to receiver Joshua Morgan, he [Morgan] insisted this offense takes time to master for the receivers (noting that they have up to 6 responsibilities per play depending on Roberts cadence at the line).

That however didn’t seem to set Hankerson back. For the first season in which he was healthy, Hankerson recorded 543 yards and three touchdowns, numbers better than those of current elite level wide receiver Brandon Marshall (309 yards, two touchdowns) and Roddy White (446 yards, three touchdowns) during their first full seasons in the NFL.

What might be even more impressive for the second year pro is during a season in which players usually have a decrease in production, he had the least amount of dropped passes on the football team with three, according to Pro Football Focus (Garcon led the team with 9). Additionally he was third best in catch percentage at 69.1% (PFF), only behind Joshua Morgan (69.6%) and Pierre Garcon (69.8%).

Heading into 2013 there are a lot of expectations on the plate for Leonard Hankerson. This will be his third season in the NFL, a season which usually is considered to be the time for a player to “breakout” which fans are expecting.

If Hankerson truly wants to have a breakout season, he’s going to need to work on two very important flaws in his game.

One of those happens to be his fear of going across the middle and making bigger catches. Thankfully because of the read option Hankerson was able to have more room allowing the footsteps to not bother him so much, but heading into year two, teams should somewhat be able to hold their ground across the middle, meaning his fear could come back.

Another is his ability to catch the ball smoothly. Though Hankerson finished the season with the least amount of drops on the team, he still has shown he cannot smoothly catch balls as one would think, especially with the size of his hands. In St. Louis, Hankerson had his defender beat by roughly five or so yards, but because he bobbled the ball, the defender managed to catch up and nearly tackle him short of the end zone.

The positive for Hankerson is that he is coming back to an offense that will stay the same minus some tweaks, a first for the first time in his NFL career. Ideally this should make a “break out” more capable for him in 2013, but if his fear of going across the middle, and his bobbles continue, that could not only slow down his pace, but also limit his time on the field.


(riggosrag.com)

While 2013 probably isn’t a ‘make or break’ year for Leonard Hankerson, the wide receiver certainly ranks high on the list of Redskins in need of a breakout performance.

He’s coming off a sophomore season in which he established career highs in receptions (38), yards (543) and touchdowns (3). But more is going to be expected of Hankerson as he enters his third NFL campaign.

And, if his strong showing this offseason is any indication, he knows it.

“If you ain’t your own biggest critic, then you ain’t got nothing,” Hankerson said, responding to a question about Coach Mike Shanahan acknowledging recently that the 24-year-old was “pretty tough on himself last year.”

Hankerson added: “You have to be able to see and know when you did stuff wrong because if you don’t, you’ll never get better. That’s the key, man, improving each and every day, learning from your mistakes and capitalizing on your chances.”

Although much of the offseason program was conducted without media present, when reporters were allowed to observe practice, Hankerson often stood out. He appeared more polished and, when balls were thrown his way, more times than not, he made a play. One of the highlights from Tuesday’s session, in fact, was a deep completion from Kirk Cousins to Hankerson, who had to adjust to the slightly underthrown pass. In one fluid motion, Hankerson reached up, snagged the ball between the approaching safety and cornerback, then quickly turned upfield.

Hankerson acknowledged that he’s feeling more confident and comfortable these days. The reason for it is simple: practice. As a rookie, the NFL lockout cost him the entire offseason. Last summer, his primary focus was rehabbing a serious hip injury, not refining his game like most second year players.

“It makes a huge difference,” he said. “When you’re healthy, it lets you just focus on getting better.”

Hankerson says he’s working to hone all facets of his game.

“You can’t just go out there and pick one thing,” he said. “You have to go out there and keep grinding and work on everything, blocking, route running, focus, everything.”

Hankerson will likely enter training camp next month as the No. 4 receiver on the Redskins’ depth chart behind Pierre Garçon, Josh Morgan and Santana Moss. That isn’t likely to change after the addition of veteran wide receivers Donte’ Stallworth, 32, and Devery Henderson, 31, this week. But it does mean Hankerson can’t afford to slip during training camp and the preseason.

“He’s trying to step it up,” offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said. “Hank’s been as good as anyone at times, and sometimes he has his little bad moments. He’s been very consistent through OTAs, and I think Hank can be as good as he wants to be.”

Most important, it seems Hankerson is starting to believe that, as well.

“I’m getting better, figuring things out, but I still have a long way to go,” Hankerson said. “I’m still young. We all want to make plays, but you just have to go out there, keep working hard and it’s going to come.”


(csnwashington.com)

Mike Shanahan typically tries to avoid heaping praise on individual players. But the Redskins’ head coach made an exception when asked recently about third-year wide receivers Leonard Hankerson and Aldrick Robinson.

Hankerson established career highs last season for receptions (38), receiving yards (543) and touchdowns (3). But what has Shanahan excited is the fact that the 24-year-old has finally had an an entire offseason to hone his route running and refine other details of his game.

In 2011, the five-month lockout erased Hankerson’s first offseason in the NFL and, as a rookie, he played in only four games before landing on injured reserve with a hip injury. In 2012, he spent most of the spring and summer watching from the sideline as he rehabbed from surgery to repair a torn hip labrum. 

“One thing about Hankerson, this is his first offseason, OTAs, spring ball, whatever you want to call it that he’s been healthy,” Shanahan said. “So he’s had the chance to develop.”

Hankerson made five starts and appeared in all 17 games last season and, as of now, figures to enter training camp next month fourth on the Redskins’ depth chart behind Pierre Garçon, Josh Morgan and Santana Moss.

“He’s in shape. His weight is the right way,” Shanahan said of Hankerson, who is listed at 6-2, 211-pounds. “He’s getting some valuable reps." 


(csnwashington.com)

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said WR Leonard Hankerson is fully healthy for the first time in his career. The team is expecting Hankerson to develop more this year.

Fantasy Tip: Hankerson showed improvements in his second year with Robert Griffin III entrenched at quarterback. Despite the increase in targets he saw, he'll likely be the third- or fourth-string wideout in Washington, making a deep sleeper or nice post-draft pick-up.


(kffl.com)

ASHBURN, Va. (WUSA) -- Do we label Leonard Hankerson yet? So many of Mike Shanahan's draft picks have panned out in Washington, it's become a puzzling matter if a homegrown player starts to lag behind.

When the University of Miami product was drafted in the third round of the 2011 draft, Redskins fans and the organization rejoiced, visualizing a solution to the ever problematic wide receiver position. I was one of those believers. 

Hankerson stood tall at 6-foot-2. He broke Michael Irvin's receiving records at a college oozing with remarkable NFL talent for two decades. What was thought to be a minor hands problem dropped Hankerson in the draft. In round number three, he seemed like an absolute steal. 

Here we stand, two full seasons later, with an army of receivers taken in the same draft who are already blossoming stars. A.J. Green and Julio Jones are the obvious studs, both perennial all-pro players. But second round picks Torrey Smith (Ravens) and Randall Cobb (Packers) have also each arguably become their franchise's biggest playmaker -- in crowded depth charts nonetheless. Shoot, even the Raiders Denarius Moore (a fifth round pick in 2011) posted 51 catches and seven touchdowns last season with Carson Palmer as his quarterback. Carson Palmer. 

So there isn't doubting the Redskins receiver is lagging behind several of his peers. Pesky little Aldrick Robinson was arguably more important to the offense last season than "Hank Time," -- see his full stats here. Sure you can argue the hip injury derailed most of Hankerson's rookie season -- one which he didn't suit up during the first five games because he wasn't ready. Sure you can argue 2012 was his first season with a dependable quarterback -- but Hankerson often went missing, recording only nine receptions in five December games.

The clock is ticking on whether Hankerson will reach his potential.

"Last season could've been a whole lot better. There's some plays last year I could've made," said Hankerson following Thursday's OTA session. "I'd grade myself a C. I had 500 or something yards. But we all can do better."

Most avid NFL film watchers will concur that Hankerson does indeed possess key attributes to become an above average pro. He's not scared of the middle of the field, he's shown ability to get deep separation from cornerbacks and his size alone distances himself from the rest of the Redskins receiving corps -- some have raved about his increased muscles in OTA's.

Here's the thing that Shanahan and Hankerson both brought up: this is his first real offseason. In 2011 the lockout slowed down his mental speed of the NFL, and last season most of training camp was spent not going at 100 percent because of hip surgery.

So now Leonard Hankerson, 24, has zero excuses to finally show the skills that made him a legendary Miami Hurricane. Some Redskins sources speculate that fellow receiver Josh Morgan will have the upper hand to begin the season as the starter alongside Pierre Garcon. Morgan was bogged down by several injuries and still managed to be semi-productive. Hankerson seems to welcome the challenge. 

"There is eight, nine, ten receivers on the depth chart. We all compete with each other. Of course it's all friendly. The coaches look for the guy who makes the play. That's what I'm trying to do," said Hankerson.

Hankerson's answer to this final question is what should concern most Redskins fans. He may lack the killer instinct that Alfred Morris and many other young players on this team carry inside themselves. Hankerson shouldn't be shy about wanting to become a dominant receiver.

Q: If you put up the same exact numbers this year as you did last year, would you be heavily disappointed?

A: "I just look forward to going out there helping my team doing every little bit I can do -- helping us win games you know. The numbers don't really matter. I'm just going out there and putting the team first, doing whatever I can to help us win."

Some will view that as a selfless answer. Some will agree with me. And I won't judge an athlete on one answer alone. But like mentioned earlier, Hankerson's leash is shortening by the season. He needs to start treating every down like it's his last. He has shown the skills and has the quarterback to join Randall Cobb and Torrey Smith as a game changing receiver. If he does duplicate those average 2012 numbers, the Redskins biggest need in the 2014 draft will indeed be wide receiver.


(wusa9.com)

Leonard Hankerson. I struggled finding a 2013 breakout player for the Redskins, but I do think Hankerson should be in line for a much bigger role and his skill set fits what Mike Shanahan wants to do with this offensive attack. First of all, wide receivers must be very good blockers in this offense. Hankerson has the size and overall physicality to develop into a very good edge blocker. He also is built to run quick-hitting routes like slants -- which work really well off Washington’s fantastic play-action game -- and to do something after the catch with a physical running style. Hankerson isn’t an elite deep threat and has just average wide-receiver speed, but he can go up and get the football downfield or in a crowd in the end zone. Drops have been a problem for Hankerson, but I expect him to take a noticeable step forward in 2013 and become a solid No. 2 receiver opposite Pierre Garcon.


(espn.com)

Every MONDAY Night proCanes.com joins All Canes Radio to bring the latest news on not only current Hurricane football but also proCane news and exclusive interviews with current and former proCanes live from Shake Shack in Coral Gables.

Click here to listen to this week’s show and hear our exclusive interviews with future proCane Kendal Thompkins, proCane Gerard Daphnis and proCane Redskins WR Leonard Hankerson.

Listen to future NFL WR Kendal THompkins talk about his days at The U, what he is doing to get ready for the Draft and much more! Gerard Daphnis joins All Canes Radio to talk about his Annual Hurricane Alumni Reunion Tailgate which will be taking place before the Spring Game at Sun Life Stadium from 12:30-2:30 in Lot E12. Also, proCane Redskins WR Leonard Hankerson joins the show and talks about his days at The U, his transition to the NFL, his new QB RGIII and much much more!

Now that it appears that Brandon Banks has played his last game for the Redskins, some fans need a new player to complain about. Leonard Hankerson has taken Banks’ place as the player that Redskins fans love to hate.

In Banks’ case I think the criticism was justified; with Hankerson, I don’t quite understand it.

The primary complaint that I get is that he drops the ball too much. He has had some memorable drops and at other times he looked like he was battling to hang on to fairly routine passes. But according to Pro Football Focus, Hankerson held on to the ball better than any other Redskins wideout.

Per PFF, Hankerson was targeted 55 times and he had 38 receptions and three drops. That gives him a drop rate of 7.32 percent. Of the 82 NFL wide receivers who played at least 25 percent of their teams’ snaps that is the 28th-best drop rate.

That’s not great but it was the best on the team. Pierre Garçon caught 44 passes and dropped five, a drop rate of 10.2 percent (51st in the NFL). Josh Morgan’s caught 48 and dropped seven for a rate of 12.73 percent (67th). Santana Moss, with six drops and 41 receptions had a rate of 12.77 (68th).

Certainly, Hankerson still needs to improve in other areas. He has had issues getting separation from defensive backs so it looks like his route running could use some improvement.

This will be a critical offseason for Hankerson. The NFL lockout wiped out OTA’s his rookie year and rehab from his hip injury kept him sidelined during the offseason program a year ago. We will see if a full cycle of team workouts will help Hankerson take the next step.

Widen the field?
This appears to be just in the speculation phase right now but the NFL could take a look into widening the field of play as a safety measure.

The thinking is that with more wide open spaces there will be fewer of the big, debilitating hits that the NFL fears is causing long-term injuries, particularly to the player’s head. The field in the Canadian Football League is 195 feet wide compared to 160 feet in the NFL.

"It's a radical idea, but I think it's worth thinking about," former Colts GM Bill Polian said. "You would have more space and perhaps a safer game. I say that based on my CFL experience. There are less collisions of that type in the Canadian game."

The offenses in the CFL are more wide-open thanks to the wider field. Defensive backs have 22 percent more field area from goal line to goal line to try to cover receivers. Backs running around the end of the line have more room to get to the edge.

There are considerations beyond competition. In most stadiums such a change would necessitate the removal of some prime seats along the sideline.

It would be surprising to see the NFL make such a change. But the thought of Robert Griffin III sprinting out with some extra field to work with might make a change that Redskins fans could believe in.


(realredskins.com)

The top four wide receivers for the Washington Redskins—Pierre Garcon, Santana Moss, Leonard Hankerson and Josh Morgan were the only group of four NFL receivers on the same team to each have 500-plus receiving yards in the 2012 season.

While they accounted for 62 percent of the Redskins' receiving yards and all but seven touchdowns, to keep them will cost the Redskins over $14 million combined in 2013.

Should the team assess the contributions these receivers made to the team on offense and will any have to take a pay cut to remain on the 2013 roster?

Pierre Garcon was the Redskins' first free agent signed prior to the 2012 season after four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Garcon missed six games due to an injury to the bottom of his right foot, but led the team in receiving yards with 633 yards and four touchdowns.  

His $2.1 million salary is going to more than double next season with a scheduled payout of $5.6 million. Garcon averaged 4.4 receptions and 14.4 yards per catch.  



In his eighth year as a Redskin and 12th NFL season, Santana Moss led the team with eight receiving touchdowns and second with 573 receiving yards. Moss played every regular season game and averaged slightly over 2.5 receptions per game and 14 yards per reception.

Moss collected $2.65 million in 2012 and is due $4.15 million next season.

Leonard Hankerson entered his second season with the Redskins after missing much of 2011 either as a non-starter or while on injured reserve. He was the lowest paid receiver among the four with a 2012 salary of $465,000. He is scheduled to earn $555,000 next season.

Hankerson accounted for 38 catches for 543 yards and three touchdowns. His biggest game of his professional career occurred in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns as Hankerson caught two touchdowns from quarterback Kirk Cousins en route to a 38--21 'Skins victory and the team's fifth straight win.
Josh Morgan signed a five-year contract in 2012 after four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. The first two years of his contract are secured and the Redskins have the option of nullifying the remaining three years.  

In 2012, Morgan had two receiving touchdowns and 510 yards. His $1.8 million salary jumps to $3.8 million next season.

With salary cap space at a premium in 2013, should the team pare down the receiving corps or look for cuts elsewhere? The Redskins have a diverse, capable and productive receiving corps which kept defenses uncertain as to which receiver among the four would be targeted as the prime receiver.

Despite having the only wide receiver quartet to each have 500-plus yards, quarterback Robert Griffin III finished his rookie year ranked 22nd in passing yards among 2012 quarterbacks.

Griffin's rehabilitation from knee surgery could allow his return by the start of the 2013 season. During the offseason, the Redskins may evaluate the triple-threat, pistol formation offense to limit any further injuries to their quarterback of the future.  

If that is the case, the Redskins could see an increased need for their top four receivers and a decrease in rushing by their quarterback as evidenced by Griffin's rushing total of 67 yards in the final two games of the 2012 regular season.


(bleacherreport.com)