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A day after announcing undrafted rookie wide receiver Cam Sims was placed on injured reserve, Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden announced the team is placing another rookie wide receiver on IR. Like Sims, Trey Quinn underwent ankle surgery on Wednesday and was placed on injured reserve.
The injury bug that swept through the running back position during the preseason has swung passed the wide receivers. Both Sims and Quinn overcame odds to make the initial 53-man roster. Sims went undrafted after limited action while at Alabama, but he beat out veteran Brian Quick and fellow undrafted rookie Simmie Cobbs to be the Redskins’ sixth wide receiver.
Quinn was the last pick in the 2018 NFL Draft in April, but it was clear he would have a huge opportunity to make the roster. He did, solidifying himself as an interchangeable piece in the slot. However, both had their progress has been halted just one week into the season.
Sims injured his ankle on the opening kick-off of the game of Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals. Quinn was hurt while returning a punt 12 yards in the third quarter as he was being tackled near the sidelines. Both players were carted off to the locker room after initial evaluation.
The lost of Quinn is more significant considering he was set as the team’s primary punt returner and had the abilities to spell Jamison Crowder in the slot, as well as playing outside.
The Redskins re-signed Quick on Tuesday to correspond to Sims going on IR. The team signed wide receiver Jehu Chesson off the practice squad for Quinn’s spot.
Chesson was a fourth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017. He appeared in 12 games for the Chiefs as a rookie, making two catches for 16 yards. He was released by the Chiefs after the preseason this year.
In addition wide receiver Maurice Harris was cleared to do some drills. He has not be a full participant in practice in several weeks. He missed Sunday’s season opener, as well as the final two preseason games while dealing with a concussion.
Gruden said both Sims and Quinn could be healed in six to eight weeks, making both eligible to return to the team.
