WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Redskins kick returner Brandon Banks and a close friend were stabbed early Saturday during an altercation outside a downtown D.C. nightclub.

Banks received a surface wound to his side that required stitches and was expected to be released Sunday from an area hospital, his agent James Gould said in a statement.

The player’s unidentified friend was critically injured and underwent surgery, Gould said.

The stabbing occurred shortly after 3 a.m. outside The Park at 14th, an upscale nightclub. According to D.C. police, a man got into a verbal altercation with two men, then pulled a knife and stabbed them. Police did not identify the victims, but the Redskins confirmed that Banks was injured in the attack.

The suspect — Jason Shorter, 24, of Lanham, Md. — was arrested and charged with assault with intent to kill, police said. Police and jail officials did not know whether Shorter had an attorney.

According to Banks’ agent, the friend was attacked first and Banks was injured while coming to his aid. Banks was not implicated in any wrongdoing, Gould said.

“Brandon’s immediate concern is for his lifelong friend who is like a brother to him,” Gould said. “He would like to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes for him and his lifelong friend.”

The team was gathering facts about the incident, Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie said.

Banks was an undrafted rookie out of Kansas State last season. He returned a punt 53 yards the first time he touched the ball in an NFL game. He also recorded a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. He is the lightest player in the NFL — listed at 5-7, 155 pounds.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.