Most of the Washington Commanders staff is in Indianapolis for this week’s NFL Scouting Combine. But there is one notable absence.
According to JP Finlay of NBC Sports, The Commanders head trainer Ryan Vermillion is not at the Combine. Vermillion remains on administrative leave following an October federal raid of Commanders headquarters last fall. He has yet to be charged with anything by authorities.
Federal agents performed a search warrant at Washington’s team facility as well as Vermillion’s nearby home in Loudoun County, Virginia.
The Commanders placed Vermillion on leave shortly afterwards. The team also placed an assistant trainer, Doug Quon, on administrative leave.
Washington finished the season using fill-ins for Vermillion. Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said in October “not knowing” is the hardest part of the situation.
The DEA investigation is related to the distribution of prescription drugs, according to NBC Washington.
In January, Rivera acknowledged the team may need to consider hiring a new athletic trainer. However, until criminal charges are brought, the Commanders may be stuck between a rock and a hard place.
The lack of a head athletic trainer considering the circumstances could make it difficult to secure free agents. Even draftees would be concerned. That’s where the NFLPA comes in. In October, the players’ union chimed in it was conducting its own investigation into Vermillion.
The Commanders haven’t had the best reputation with athletic trainers. The team fired longtime head trainer Larry Hess in December 2019. Hess faced troubling allegations from players, most notably All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams.
Vermillion was hired by Rivera to replace Hess. Rivera and Vermillion worked together with the Carolina Panthers. Now, Vermillion is at the center of his own ongoing drama.
