The Washington Redskins released linebacker Adam Hayward, a former special teams standout derailed by injuries each of the past two seasons.
Hayward's release saves Washington $885,000 against the salary cap. Though there is some savings, the move also makes some sense: Hayward is a
32-year old linebacker who has played 11 games the past two seasons combined because of the injuries. He tore his right ACL in a preseason game last August. In 2014, he broke a bone in his right leg in Week 12 and was placed on injured reserve. He told Redskins.com this week that he had been cleared to return.
Also, a goal for the Redskins this offseason was to get younger backups. They accomplished this at linebacker by drafting two linebackers they hope can develop into solid players/special teamers -- Martrell Spaight and Steven Daniels. The hope is they can develop them into future starters or, if nothing else, solid backups. This past offseason they signed Terence Garvin, known for his special teams play in Pittsburgh. Garvin is only 25.
The prevailing thought has been they want younger backups because there’s a chance they can be groomed into bigger roles.
Hayward was a respected voice, especially on special teams. The Redskins signed him in the 2014 offseason after he had spent his first seven seasons with Tampa Bay. He has made 13 career starts.
