A day after tight end JP Holtz was claimed by the Chicago Bears off waivers, the Redskins are signing 6-foot-8 tight end Donald Parham to their practice squad, according to the Athletic’s Ben Standig.
Washington had signed Holtz to the 53-man roster last week for depth at tight end and special teams with Jordan Reed missing Week 1’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Tuesday, Washington waived Holtz to make room for the signing of defensive lineman TY McGill. The assumption was that the Redskins would sign Holtz to their practice squad once he cleared waivers.
He did not, instead going to the Bears.
Washington already had an opened spot on the practice squad as they released Darrell Williams Tuesday. With Holtz gone, Washington has opted to turn to Parham.
Parham was on the Redskins’ 90-man roster during training camp and preseason. Parham was buried on the depth chart behind Reed, Vernon Davis, Jeremy Sprinkle, and Holtz. He did, however, make a huge 25-yard catch in the preseason finale against Baltimore to help setup a touchdown.
Parham went undrafted in this year’s NFL Draft after playing at Stetson of the Football Championship Sub-division in college. As a senior, he had 85 receptions for 1,319 yards and 13 touchdowns and finished his career as the Hatters’ all-time leader in receptions (180), receiving yards (2,591), receiving touchdowns (20) and all-purpose yards (2,591).
For the Redskins, Parham will be stashed away on the practice squad for tight end depth. Washington currently is down to two healthy tight ends — Davis and Sprinkle — as Reed remains in the concussion protocol.
