Washington Commanders News & Rumors

Washington may have to look elsewhere to help fill the void created by Landon Collins‘ season-ending injury. A Ron Rivera–Eric Reid reunion is on hold for the time being.

The free agent safety said, via Rob Maadi of the Associated Press, he declined an offer to join Washington’s practice squad (Twitter link). A report earlier Tuesday indicated Washington was considering adding Reid.

Several veteran players who would have looked strange on practice squads prior to this unusual season have signed such agreements this year, only to make belated appearances on 53-man rosters. Reid may be eyeing a more direct path back to action.

A seven-year veteran who played most of the past two seasons with the Panthers, Reid has experience with in-season signings as well. The Panthers signed him to their active roster in 2018, and the former 49ers first-round pick started 13 games that season. Carolina then gave the outspoken safety an extension, but upon changing coaching staffs this offseason, the Panthers released Reid.

Washington is shorthanded at safety, however. The team gave Collins a then-record $14MM-per-year deal in 2019. That changed a safety market that curiously cratered in 2018, when Reid and multiple other proven starters struggled to land jobs throughout the offseason. Troy Apke and backups Deshazor Everett and Kamren Curl — a rookie seventh-rounder — reside as the other safeties on Washington’s active roster.

Washington is making a move at safety, however, albeit a lower-profile transaction. The team is promoting Jeremy Reaves from its practice squad.

Eric Reid could be back in the league before too long. The veteran safety has been a free agent since he was released back in March, and we haven’t heard of much known interest.

Now in the wake of Landon Collins‘ season-ending Achilles injury, Washington is considering signing Reid, a source told John Keim of ESPN.com. He signed a three-year extension back with the Panthers back in February of 2019, but once Carolina changed regimes and cleaned house he was sent packing. He had to wait a while the last time he was a free agent too, sitting out until September when the Panthers finally came calling.

Of course, many believe that Reid’s relationship with Colin Kaepernick and role in national anthem protests have hampered his market. Washington’s interest would make a lot of sense due to the presence of Ron Rivera, who coached Reid in Carolina and has always spoken highly of him. Texans safety Justin Reid lobbied for Houston to sign his brother, but other than that it’s been pretty quiet.

Keim notes that Rivera essentially foreshadowed this situation last month when he said “We’re in a fortunate position where we have Landon Collins. A guy like Eric Reid wouldn’t fit us here. But if we didn’t [have Collins], believe me, I’d call him. [Reid] has the ability to play in this league and hopefully, if somebody needs a strong safety, he’s a guy they would call.”

That being said, it’s far from a done deal, as Keim notes the team is considering all options. Still only 28, Reid should have plenty left in the tank physically. He started all 16 games for the Panthers last year, notching 130 tackles, six passes defended, and four sacks as he was often used as a blitzer. We’ll keep you posted as soon as we hear more on the situation.