The start of the 2019 season has been frustrating for the Redskins. Head coach Jay Gruden has had to deal with a litany of questions surrounding the Trent Williams’ holdout throughout the summer. Now he is dealing with the benching of Adrian Peterson. Therefore, a question about Jordan Reed’s status may have sit Gruden over the top, momentarily.
“I’ve explained this 3,000 times, O.K. They’re never really totally out of the protocol, they just continue to get more work in practice, Gruden stated Wednesday to reporters. “He did a lot of work in team today, which is good. He’s just gotta continue to get more reps and we’ll continue to monitor how he’s feeling afterwards.”
Reed has remained in the concussion protocol since Week 3 of the preseason — Aug. 22 to be exact — when he was a victim of a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit.
“Whenever a player gets cleared from whatever injury it is, there is no concern because he’s cleared and ready to go – that’s the way we look at it, Gruden continued. “We would never put Jordan [Reed] at risk any time, any place if we thought there was going to be a future problem. Once he gets cleared and he feels good enough to go, he’ll go.”
As with any concussion there truly isn’t a time frame for a return to the field. Redskins insiders and fans have been eager to see Reed on the field. When healthy, he is the best pass-catcher on the team.
Reed now has seven documented concussions since 2010, and he cannot return to the field until he is clear of concussion symptoms. Understandably Gruden will be frustrated with the constant asking of his status. However, he has to understand why there is concern from all.
The Redskins are 0-1 after a Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Gruden is on the hot seat with this being his sixth season as head coach and not much success to show for. There’s a lot being thrown at Gruden, and maybe Wednesday he put in an effort to eliminate one of the topics.
For now, everyone will have to wait and see when Reed returns. And it may be in everyone’s best interest not to ask Jay Gruden anything about Reed’s status until his return.
