ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden expressed optimism Tuesday that tight end Jordan Reed would play Saturday. That optimism has decreased after Reed was unable to practice Thursday.
Reed remains bothered by a grade 3 separation of the AC joint in his left shoulder, suffered on Thanksgiving Day in Dallas. He has played the last two weeks, catching a combined two passes for 16 yards, but he was in obvious pain after getting hit in the shoulder against Carolina on Monday.
Still, Gruden said he thought he’d be able to go Saturday at Chicago.
“I felt that way the other day, yes,” Gruden said.
In other words, he’s not sure what to think now.
“Obviously it’s still bothering him,” Gruden said. “We’ll have to gauge it [Friday].”
The Redskins could use Reed, but his absence has not had the jarring impact this season it’s had in the past. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is obviously better with him on the field, but on plays where Reed isn’t on the field, Cousins owns a 94.4 passer rating; it jumps to 100.9 when Reed is on the field. Last season, Cousins’ rating was 73.8 without Reed and 111.8 with him.
Linebacker Su'a Cravens (elbow) did not practice nor did corner Quinton Dunbar (concussion). Gruden said Dunbar has not been ruled out yet but “probably” will be. Among the players who were limited: linebackers Ryan Kerrigan (elbow), Will Compton (knee), Martrell Spaight (shoulder) and Terence Garvin (illness), end Chris Baker (ankle) and corner Bashaud Breeland (illness).
The Redskins also signed corner Dashaun Phillips off the practice squad, mainly to help fill a hole in Dunbar’s absence. Phillips would be a special-teams help. The Redskins waived receiver Rashad Ross.
