Is Trent Williams really coming back to the Redskins soon?
After Jay Gruden had nothing to add when asked, Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams may be reporting to the team soon.
Last week, through his former teammate DeAngelo Hall, Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams made it known he would not be coming back to the team in time for Week 1. But on Tuesday, via the Hail to The Podcast on The Athletic, Hall said Williams could end his holdout “sooner rather than later.” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport added that Williams could come back for Week 2.
On Monday, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said he was “kind of numb” to talking about Williams’ holdout, with no expectation the All-Pro tackle would end his holdout this week. The team has been adamant they wouldn’t trade Williams, at least without a high asking price being met, and team president Bruce Allen said Williams would play and “it’ll be with us.”
Williams wants a new contract, with two years left on his current deal, and he also had an issue with how the Redskins handled his medical situation when he had a growth on his head. But the start of the season means games checks starting to be lost, and Hall further said on Tuesday that Williams would not sit out the entire season and lose his full 2019 salary ($11 million) and an accrued season.
Ereck Flowers first surfaced as an option to replace Williams at left tackle at the start of camp, then Donald Penn was signed. Flowers was moved in to start at left guard, and Penn will man Case Keenum’s blindside against the Philadelphia Eagles during Sunday’s season opener.
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As expected, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Williams would still need to be medically cleared to play once he reports. In any case, when he reports, Williams shouldn’t need many practice reps to get up to speed before he steps back in and plays at a high level.