Jordan Reed missed the entire 2019 season after suffering the seventh documented concussion of his career. Many have wondered if it would be best for the tight end to walk away from the game, but according to one source who spoke with ESPN.com’s John Keim, he “100 percent” wants to continue playing (Twitter link). 
When healthy and on the field, Reed has been a focal point of the Redskins’ offense. He caught 329 passes for 3,371 yaards and 24 touchdowns between 2013 and 2018, even though most of those seasons were shortened by medical issues. When he was at or near full strength, he was nearly unstoppable.
In 2015, when he suited up for a career-high 14 games, he tallied an 87/952/11 stat line with a catch rate of 76.3%. In 2016, he finally secured his first Pro Bowl nod as he notched 66 grabs for 686 yards and six TDs in just 12 games. Unfortunately, in the last three years, he’s suited up for just 13 games out of a possible 48 contests.
Whether Reed returns or not, the Redskins will have to fortify their tight end group this offseason. Veteran Vernon Davis retired earlier this month (he also missed time with concussion issues in 2019), leaving them perilously thin at the position.
Reed has two years to go on his five-year, ~$47MM deal with the Redskins. The team can release him this offseason to save $8.5MM against just $1.8MM in dead money, provided that is cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol. Otherwise, the Redskins would still be on the hook, unless they’re able to negotiate a settlement.
It’s time for the Redskins to end this dance. If Jordan Reed wants to increase his risks of permanent brain damage, he should do it somewhere else. $10 million for 4 games per year won’t work. Perhaps Seattle has money for another former top tight end.
I’d rather have seen the Redskins keep Vernon Davis.
Scary to see guys like him continue to themselves at such high risk for CTE. Whenever I see his name I immediately associate him with concussion problems.
After seven documented concussions (and who knows how many others), I would think somebody would step in and say “enough.” He can’t be too far away from not remembering his name.
His own teammates and friends have told him as much. Something about leading a horse to water.
You’re absolutely right. I hate the probability that his “retired” years could be close to useless to him and the world, but it is ultimately his choice to make.
Got to agree, time for the skins to move on
He wants to play? So does the dog in Over The Hedge, and he’s more entertaining.
he must have scrambled brains if he thinks continuing to play is a good idea
Athletes aren’t wired the same as most people and are driven to compete. Ryan Newman is eager to get back to racing in NASCAR yet nobody is accusing him of having a scrambled brain.
Any doctor or coach who co-signs his return should immediately be fired. I’m sure it’s difficult for him to say enough is enough, so the people around him should. At this pace, the man is going to be a vegetable by 50.
I don’t feel at all comfortable being around people who feel it’s ok to strip someone of their personal rights “for their own protection”.