Donald Penn had his first day as a member of the Washington Redskins. The left tackle practiced Wednesday after inking a one-year deal amid Trent Williams’ holdout.
Following practice, Penn said he reached out to Williams. The two spoke before he decided to sign with the Redskins, according to Kareem Copeland of the Washington Post.
Penn described the conversation with Williams as “good,” according to Matthew Paras of the Washington Times.
Penn also said he came to the Redskins to start at left tackle. He acknowledged his familiarity with Redskins head coach Jay Gruden, Bruce Allen, and Doug Williams from his days with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I’m a left tackle at heart,” Penn said.
He later said he is open to being a swing tackle if Trent Williams returns.
It’s unclear if or when Williams will return to the Redskins. The suspected issues have been well-documented, somewhere in the middle sits the truth that only Williams and the Redskins brass know totally.
Adding Penn gives Washington insurance amid the holdout. Penn will join Geron Christian in competition for starting left tackle spot with Williams absent. As times passes it remains to be seen how this saga plays out, but for Penn he cherishes the opportunity to get back on the field.
His 2018 season was lost after losing his starting spot with the Oakland Raiders to the young Kolton Miller, forcing Penn to right tackle before he was placed on IR with a leg/groin injury. He was then cut by the Raiders in March after the team signed offensive tackle Trent Brown.
Now at the age of 36, Donald Penn will have to make the most of this opportunity in Washington, all while Williams’ holdout lurks in the shadows.
