With a week before their first preseason game, the Washington Commanders may have to look deep down the depth chart to find a tight end to suit up. The Commanders’ top four tight ends are now dealing with ailments.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera announced rookie Cole Turner and second-year player Sammis Reyes both exited Friday’s practices with hamstring issues, according to the Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala.
The Commanders are already without Logan Thomas and John Bates. Thomas is on the PUP list as he works back to get back from a torn ACL he suffered in December. Bates is down with a calf injury.
According to NBC Sports’ Pete Hailey, Turner appeared to initially suffer the tweak during individual drills running a route. He went on to team drills but left the practice after being hit by rookie safety Percy Butler on a catch from Taylor Heinicke. Turner was taken to the medical tent and did not return.
For Reyes and Turner it’s unclear the extent of their hamstring ailments. However, the situation is a glaring example of how injuries this time of year can add up and affect a team’s preparation for the season.
The only other tight ends on the Commanders roster are undrafted rookies Curtis Hodges and Armani Rogers.
Hodges had 20 catches for 374 yards and two touchdowns as a senior at Arizona State last year. Rogers was a backup quarterback in college. He transitioned to tight end ahead of the East-West Shrine Bowl.
The Commanders already lost Antonio Gandy-Golden, who decided to retire last week. He was converting to tight end after two seasons at wide receiver before he decided to leave football to go back to school.
