The Washington Redskins have placed quarterback Alex Smith, cornerback Danny Johnson, and rookie edge Jordan Brailford on the physically unable to perform list, head coach Jay Gruden announced Wednesday.
Rookie running back Bryce Love will be placed on the non-football injury list.
QB Alex Smith (leg)
For Alex Smith, the decision to place him on the PUP list was expected. Smith is still recovering from his devastating leg injury he suffered in November against the Houston Texans.
Smith underwent multiple surgeries after suffering a compound fracture in his right leg. He developed an infection and eventually had an external fixator placed on his leg for eight months before he recently had it removed earlier this month.
Smith is expected to miss the entire 2019 season with what is described as a career-threatening injury.
Like any player placed on the PUP, Smith will be allowed to attend team meetings but won’t be able to participate in practices until he is medically cleared. Something that’s not expected this season.
With a rookie quarterback in Dwayne Haskins and Case Keenum who was acquired this past off-season in a trade, Smith being in the quarterbacks room will be very beneficial for both prospective starters.
“His leadership in that quarterbacks room will be beneficial, but the most important thing for me and for this organization is for Alex to get well.” Gruden said per Redskins.com. “I know he wants to be apart of this and help out anyway he can.”
CB Danny Johnson (Knee)
Johnson was a rookie sensation last season, as he earned a spot on the 53-man roster and quality playing time as an undrafted rookie. But he suffered a knee and finger injury forced him on injured reserved in Week 14.
If and when Johnson is able to go, he will face stiff competition for a roster spot at cornerback. The team drafted Jimmy Moreland — this year’s Danny Johnson — a steal in the seventh-round. Then there is Greg Stroman, a rookie last season, who had the highest grade by PFF of any Redskins cornerback. Then there is Adonis Alexander. Along with Johnson all will be vying for spots behind Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who is expected to play some free safety and slot corner.
EDGE Jordan Brailford (Groin)
Brailford, a seventh-round pick of the Redskins this year, is dealing with a groin injury. He impressed in both the rookie minicamp and OTAs. He is expected to compete for an edge spot behind Ryan Kerrigan, Ryan Anderson, and fellow rookie, first-round pick Montez Sweat.
RB Bryce Love (Knee)
For Love, the expectations are low for this season, but his long-term spot on the team seems more firm than anyone of the other three that won’t be part of training camp when it starts.
The fourth-round pick out of Stanford is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in December. When healthy he will surely have a say in the running back depth on the team. The question will be when?
Washington won’t have to make a decision on Love for the first six weeks of the season and he won’t count towards the 53-man roster.
