The Washington Commanders have addressed a position of need on Sunday, claiming tight end Kendall Blanton off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams, according to his agent Kenny Zuckerman.
Blanton spent three seasons with the Rams after going undrafted in 2019 out of Missouri. He was off and on the Rams’ 53-man roster and practice squad throughout his time in L.A. He appeared in 12 games, making four catches for 37 yards from 2019-2021.
However, Blanton saved his best performances for the Rams’ run to a Super Bowl LVI victory. He caught two passes for 18 yards and a touchdown in the Divisional Round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Blanton then had five catches for 57 yards in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers.
He exited the Super Bowl in the first half with a shoulder injury without recording a catch.
Injuries have decimated the Commanders at tight end. Washington is down its top-three tight ends — Logan Thomas (PUP list, ACL), John Bates (calf) and rookie Cole Turner (hamstring). All three have missed each of the Commanders’ two preseason games.
The team also placed Sammis Reyes on injured reserve last week with a hamstring injury, effectively ending his season. Then, undrafted rookie Curtis Hodges was sidelined.
Armani Rogers and Eli Wolf suited up at tight end in Saturday’s preseason loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Linebacker Nate Gerry lined up as the scout team tight end during practice this past week.
Blanton gives Washington a much-needed body. He may have the opportunity to play right away. The Commanders hoped to get at least two of its injured tight ends back for Week 1 of the regular season. It’s unclear if Blanton’s signing is just to have enough healthy bodies to practice or signals a long-term issue with one of the injured tight ends.
