Jordan Reed has been in the concussion protocol since Week 3 of the preseason when he took a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit from Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal. Reed returned to practice this week for individual drills.
Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said the team would have a better idea if Reed would be cleared for the game Saturday morning. However, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Washington expects Reed will be out against the Eagles.
With no official word about tight end Jordan Reed, the Washington Redskins made a move to protect themselves for Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Redskins have promoted tight end JP Holtz from the practice squad and waiving wide receiver Robert Davis in a corresponding move, according to the Athletic’s Ben Standig.
Davis made the initial 53-man roster as the Redskins kept six wide receivers. Gruden had hinted earlier in the week, Washington may only dress five receivers for the Eagles. Considering the need of a tight end with Reed likely to miss the season opener, dropping a wide receiver seemed the easier move.
By doing so, the Redskins do lose a special teams contributor in Davis. Gruden has stressed the importance of special teams players, going as far as saying not dressing running back Adrian Peterson to dress a special teams contributor is possible.
It will be interesting to see what 46 players dress Sunday and how Reed’s absence impacts the offense and special teams of the Redskins.
