In addition to being a tight end, Jordan Reed may line up at slot receiver Sunday when the Washington Redskins play their home opener against the Indianapolis Colts. Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said Reed “likely” will be the primary backup at slot receiver behind Jamison Crowder.
The Redskins are forced to reshuffle the deck at wide receiver with both rookie wide receivers Cam Sims and Trey Quinn going on injured reserve. Both are out at least 6-8 weeks, according to Gruden, after both underwent ankle surgery stemming from injuries suffered in last Sunday’s win over Arizona. Of the two, Quinn’s absence is the more significant at the moment.
Quinn served as the backup slot receiver to Crowder. Quinn also would have given Gruden the luxury of placing he or Crowder in the slot and the other on the outside at the same time. However, the countless possibilities have to be placed on hold. Quinn’s absence along with Maurice Harris dealing with a concussion that symptoms have lingered for nearly a month now, leaves a huge void in the offense.
Washington runs three wide receivers heavy. When prompted Gruden said Reed is the obvious choice with Harris still dealing with the concussion.
Washington re-signed Brian Quick, who they released during final cuts, after placing Sims on IR. Quick is expected to be active Sunday against Colts but he will play on the outside, the role Sims was set to play before he was injured on the opening kick-off against the Cardinals.
The Redskins also signed Jehu Chesson off their practice squad to replace Quinn on the 53-man roster. The former 2017 fourth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs is also an outside receiver and can help on special teams, if made active. With no Quinn, Reed is the only viable option.
Reed is one of the better route runners in the NFL. NFL legend Tony Gonzalez recognized Reed’s skill set on the FOX postgame telecast last Sunday. Reed’s versatility eases the stress of Quinn not being available.
“He can do everything,” Gruden said of Reed’s capabilities of filling in for Crowder in the event Crowder is injured or needs a spell.
