RICHMOND, Va. -- Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed's training camp won’t begin the way anyone hoped. In a surprising move, the Redskins placed him on the physically unable to perform list, along with three other players.
Also on the list: safety DeAngelo Hall (knee), linebacker Houston Bates (knee) and receiver Kendal Thompson (leg). Reed, though, is the most consequential. He was fine during the Redskins' two-day minicamp, so his inclusion on the list comes as a surprise.
Reed sprained his big toe and is still dealing with pain and soreness, a Redskins senior vice president of communications Tony Wyllie said. He’s undergoing further evaluation before being cleared to return. The Redskins are hoping to avoid a long-term issue.
Reed, of course, has fought durability issues since entering the NFL in 2013. He has missed 20 games in four years due to various injuries, and the 27-year-old has been diagnosed with at least five concussions.
But that history is why the Redskins have focused hard on depth at tight end. They re-signed veteran Vernon Davis in the offseason and also have Niles Paul and Derek Carrier. They drafted Jeremy Sprinkle in the fifth round for more depth.
Davis’ speed still enables him to get open while Carrier is adept at running routes, too. Paul’s versatility enables him to play fullback, block along the front or to be aligned up off the line. Sprinkle offers size at 6-foot-5, 252 pounds.
Davis caught 44 passes last season, filling in well as a target when Reed couldn’t play. But the passing game centers around Reed because of his ability to get open versus any sort of coverage. His presence often causes defenses to cheat toward him, creating an opening for others. The combination of Reed and Davis enables Washington to be effective on first-down play-action throws.
Opening on the PUP list does not mean Reed won’t be ready for the season. He can come off the list at any time, but a player can’t be placed on the PUP list once camp begins.
