London Fletcher may miss 1st game

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ASHBURN, Va. -- London Fletcher's 15-season, never-missed-a-game streak appears in jeopardy because of a sore hamstring and a balance problem that had him scheduled to see a pair of doctors.

The Washington Redskins linebacker attended practice Wednesday but did not participate.

He limped off the field wearing a baseball cap, telling reporters: "I did what I could." He then left for appointments with both the Redskins team doctor, as well as the same neurologist who evaluated Robert Griffin III's concussion earlier this season.

Fletcher hurt his right hamstring in the second half of Sunday's 27-23 loss to the New York Giants. Coach Mike Shanahan said Fletcher then reported having balance issues on Monday, unrelated to the hamstring injury.

The coach wouldn't speculate on Fletcher's chances to play in this week's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Let's get a review from the doctors and see what they have to say," Shanahan said.

Fletcher, 37, has played in 231 consecutive games since entering the league as an undrafted rookie with the St. Louis Rams in 1998. It's the longest streak among active players and the second longest for any defensive player since the 1970 merger.

Fletcher and Ronde Barber are usually tied atop the active list, but Fletcher moved one ahead of the veteran safety earlier this month when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had their bye week.

Also Wednesday, receiver Pierre Garcon and tight end Fred Davis met with Dr. Robert Anderson in North Carolina about their respective injuries. The doctor performed surgery on the ruptured left Achilles tendon that has ended Davis' season and re-examined the MRI on the toe injury that has sidelined Garcon for four of the past six games.

Shanahan recommended that Garcon make the trip after the receiver reported no improvement Tuesday. The injury is in second toe of Garcon's right foot.

"Just for peace of mind, I said, 'Why don't you talk to a specialist? You'll get a chance to go one on one and see what he says,' " Shanahan said. "And hopefully something positive comes out of it."

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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