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Roy Helu News & Rumors

Mike Shanahan encouraged by progress of Roy Helu, Evan Royster
January 5
Washington Post
 
"It was mid-November and with his offense sputtering Redskins coach Mike Shanahan was asked about the ineffectiveness of the running game, something that had always been a staple of his Denver Broncos teams, and the coach vowed that improvements would soon come. "We will get that running game back," Shanahan said. "I promise you. We've been doing it over 20 years, and that's our trademark." Production in the running game did return thanks to a pair of young backs."
No progress on Roy Helu's injuries
December 30
Washington Post
 
"Washington Redskins rookie running back Roy Helu missed a second straight day of practice with knee and toe injuries, according to the team's injury report. The rookie, who missed last week's game, has not made much progress since then, said Coach Mike Shanahan Also listed on the team's injury report for Thursday were right tackle Jammal Brown (hip), linebacker London Fletcher (ankle), defensive end Adam Carriker (chest) and wide receiver Donte Stallworth (ankle)."
Helu remains limited
December 29
Washington Post
 
"Redskins rookie running back Roy Helu said earlier Wednesday that he feels a lot better and "absolutely" expects to play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. But Helu was one of five players limited in practice, according to the team's injury report. Helu continued to be slowed by knee and toe injuries, according to Coach Mike Shanahan, and will continue to be evaluated each day. Also limited for the Redskins were right tackle Jammal Brown (hip), defensive end Adam Carriker (chest), linebacker London Fletcher (ankle) and receiver Donte Stallworth (ankle)."
Helu, Brown questionable vs. Vikings
December 24
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Redskins have listed starting running back Roy Helu and starting right tackle Jammal Brown as questionable for their game Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings. Helu, hampered by knee and toe injuries, and Brown, who has missed the last two games because of a strained groin, were limited in practice this week. Both players have said they are hopeful that they can play."
Rookie Roy Helu says he's feeling better
December 23
Washington Post
 
"Roy Helu has been limited in practice all week but said Thursday he now feels "really good." The rookie running back suffered injuries last weekend to his toe and knee, according to the injury report, and Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said it affected him in the game against the Giants. Helu he was tackled awkwardly Sunday and felt a lot of pain earlier in the week. "I felt a lot better today," he said Thursday, "a lot better." Helu has been receiving treatment daily with trainers Larry Hess and Elliott Jermyn, he said."
Redskins injury report: Roy Helu, three others limited
December 22
Washington Post
 
"Washington Redskins starting running back Roy Helu returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, a day after knee and toe injuries kept him sidelined, according to the team's injury report. Also limited in practice for the Redskins were right tackle Jammal Brown (groin), linebacker London Fletcher (ankle) and fullback Mike Sellers (elbow). Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Sellers was more "limited-to-full" and that he believes that Sellers is likely to play Saturday when the Redskins take on the Minnesota Vikings."
Roy Helu played injured against Giants
December 20
Washington Post
 
"Rookie running back Roy Helu's franchise-best streak of three straight games with at least 100 rushing yards came to an end Sunday against the New York Giants. Coach Mike Shanahan believes a couple of undisclosed injuries to Helu were to blame. "I didn't realize until looking at the film that he played hurt and didn't play as good as he normally plays, looking at that film," Shanahan said."
Say Helu to Skins' new spark
December 18
New York Post
 
"The Redskins rank just below the league-worst Giants in average rushing yards this season, but don't blame the meager stats (93.8 per game) on rookie Roy Helu. Since moving into the starting lineup three games ago, Helu has rushed for an NFC-best 334 yards, becoming the first Redskins rookie to gain at least 100 yards in three consecutive games. "Roy is a fierce competitor,'' said Giants rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara, a teammate of Helu's at Nebraska and close friend. "Very close," Amukamara said. "Roy is considered a best friend of mine. I am looking forward to this. But if someone is in a different jersey then they are my enemy that day.''"
Roy Helu's running opens up Redskins' air attack
December 15
Washington Times
 
"Rookie running back Roy Helu has galvanized the Washington Redskins' running attack over the past three games. He has rushed for at least 100 yards in each since coach Mike Shanahan appointed him the team's featured back. That success has carried over to the passing game, too. Opponents are respecting the threat Helu poses, and that has unlocked Washington's play-action passes. "We've talked about that from Day 1 - through preseason and our first four regular-season games - when the running game is going, the play-action game always improves," Shanahan said. "It better improve, because that's where your big plays usually come. We've come up with a few more big plays in play-action and a"
Roy Helu leads all active rookies in rushing
December 15
Washington Post
 
"Eight running backs were selected ahead of Roy Helu in last spring's NFL Draft. But Helu, the Redskins' fourth-round selection, has more rushing yards (582) than any other rookie currently on an active roster. "That's pretty cool," Helu said Wednesday in his typically understated way. Technically, Dallas' DeMarco Murray is the lone rookie with more yards (897) than Helu, but Murray went on injured reserve this week and is finished for the season. Helu, the 105th overall pick, has hit the 100-yard mark in three straight games, and Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan says this experience will only help the young running back down the road."
Roy Helu remains a bright spot in Redskins' dismal season
December 12
Washington Post
 columnist Thomas Boswell
"A hard, clean dose of Roy Helu, cutting back off tackle, sticking his black-and-blue bruised forehead into a maze of swirling linebackers, and finishing a tough run for five yards on a cold December field in a lost season: That's probably something the Redskins can use right about now. Helu's only a rookie, listed at just 6 feet tall and 216 pounds, just a fourth-round draft pick, only a third-stringer to start the season. But, as a 4-9 year and a 34-27 loss to New England on Sunday weigh them down, the Redskins actually look to the 23-year-old from Nebraska to give them something to brace against, to lean on and imagine as part of a better future. No doubt you, and the Redskins"