Blood clot sidelines Redskins' OL for a year

The Washington Redskins will open training camp Thursday without offensive lineman Mike Williams, who is out for the year after a blot clot was discovered in his lungs.

Williams was a remarkable comeback story a year ago, dropping some 70 pounds as he returned to the NFL after a three-year absence to make the Redskins roster and start eight games.

This year he was expected to compete for the starting right guard spot, but a blood clot developed in his calf, leading to X-rays that located the other one in his chest.

With Williams out, Artis Hicks is expected to start at right guard after working much of the offseason at right tackle. Jammal Brown, acquired last month in a trade with New Orleans, is the projected starting right tackle.