Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed out vs. Eagles
If they’re able to beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, the Washington Redskins will do it without tight end Jordan Reed.
Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed missed practice all week with a concussion, and he was officially listed as questionable ahead of Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Jay Gruden had expressed some surprising optimism about Reed having a chance to play, but that is officially out the window now.
#Redskins have downgraded both TE Jordan Reed (concussion) and LB Su'a Cravens (concussion) as OUT vs. the #Eagles. Both were questionable.
— Master (@MasterTes) October 15, 2016
Reed leads the Redskins in receptions (33) , targets (45) and receiving yards (316) so far this season, and he’s also tied for the team lead with two touchdown catches. He’s been by far the most consistent, reliable target for quarterback Kirk Cousins through five games, and when healthy, Reed has proven to be a difference-making talent.
But durability has been the thing with Reed, as he missed 12 games over his first two NFL seasons. Upon playing a career-high 14 games in 2015, a high level of production followed for Reed (87 receptions for 952 yards, 11 touchdowns).
Reed’s notable concussion history is of particular renewed concern now, with Pro Football Talk citing this week’s injury as his sixth diagnosed concussion since his college days at Florida. And that leaves out any possible head injuries that may have been hidden well by Reed, misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all.
Reed could easily be facing an absence of longer than one game, with that significant concussion history virtually dictating that be the case. The Redskins hit the road to play the Detroit Lions (Week 7) and Cincinnati Bengals (Week 8) before a Week 9 bye, so Reed’s health is going to highly monitored until further notice and keeping him out through the bye is absolutely a feasible option for Washington.
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Vernon Davis and Niles Paul are, or can be, capable players in their own way. But if Reed has to miss time beyond Sunday’s game, the Redskins will be dealing with a substantial downgrade at tight end for longer than they’d like to.