Nsekhe gets this chance

Washington Redskins tackle Ty Nsekhe took a winding path to his current spot.

- Brian McNally

With star left tackle Trent Williams, a four-time Pro Bowl player, suspended for four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, Nsekhe has an opportunity to play four games in 22 days and he gets a full month of practice time with the first team.

Washington needs him to play well, too. The offensive line has done well to protect quarterback Kirk Cousins this season. But can that continue without Williams there to protect his blindside?

How Nsekhe even made it to the NFL is a remarkable story of perseverance. At 6-foot-8, 335 pounds, Nsekhe always had the size to intrigue scouts. But after growing up in the Dallas area and playing college football at Tarleton State, Nsekhe wasn’t drafted at all. He spent three years bouncing between the top and bottom tiers of the Arena Football League, the lowest level of professional football in the United States where players are paid little to nothing for their trouble. Few ever make it beyond the occasional training camp tryout. They take the hint, quit football and return to their regular lives.

“I’ve had a long road getting to the NFL,” Nsekhe said. “I just thank God every day for blessings that he’s put in front of me.”