ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins still have questions about who will open the season as their starting punter. But they’ve swapped one candidate for another.
Washington claimed punter Tress Way off waivers, hours after they released punter Blake Clingan.
Way was waived by Chicago two days ago; he also was in camp with the Bears last summer before being cut. Way, who punts left-footed, spent four years at Oklahoma, averaging 44.0 yards per punt.
Way punted five times this preseason for a 41.0-yard average and 39.0 net average but struggled to find consistency with hang times.
He’ll compete with holdover Robert Malone, who has a 42.5-yard average on two punts this summer. But he, too, has struggled throughout his career -- following a booming punt with a line drive, leading to a solid return.
Malone has averaged 44.5 yards per punt on 157 career punts but has a 37.8-yard net average.
Malone knew when Clingan was released it did not mean he had won the job. Indeed, hours later Washington claimed Way. But Malone said he’s seen a difference in his game this summer.
“Just consistency,” Malone said. “As far as leg strength goes, I’ve always had a big leg. It’s just getting that consistency down, making sure I’m doing my technique. That’s it.”
