Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol six months after he was on the receiving end of a helmet-to-helmet hit during a preseason game. Recently hired head coach Ron Rivera confirmed to The Athletic over the weekend.
Reed suffered his seventh documented concussion when he took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal last August. Neal was fined for the hit. Reed, however, missed the entire 2019 season as he failed to be cleared to return to the field.
Rivera’s admittance is huge in the development of both Reed’s playing future, which has been questioned since being injured, and the Redskins’ need of a tight end.
Vernon Davis announced his retirement from football during Super Bowl Sunday. He too suffered a concussion during the 2019 season, missing the final 12 games.
Rivera told Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic the entire roster is being evaluated but emphasized the tight end position.
“A great example is the tight end position. Vernon Davis is retired. Jordan Reed is still going through the concussion protocol. He’s a very veteran guy. We have an opportunity to bring in a guy like Greg Olsen — so that’s one of the positions where we have identified, said ‘Hey, we do need to have a veteran guy at that position one way or another?’”
Reed remains on the team but with a cap hit of $10.3 million in 2020, he is a cap casualty candidate. Washington would free up $8.5 million with his release, according to Spotrac.
The Redskins have already began their search for a much-needed veteran player at tight end. Greg Olsen, who was recently released by the Carolina Panthers, have met with the Redskins as well as the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks. He is currently in talks with all three teams, however, the Redskins figure to have an inside track as Olsen played the past nine seasons under Rivera in Carolina.
