Washington Commanders News & Rumors

The NFL Players Association has issued the following statement on Redskins left tackle Trent Williams (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk):

“In our multiple conversations with Trent and his agent, we have considered various options based on the facts, but we also understand that Trent wants to put this all behind him, not relive a painful experience when his life was in danger and move on with his career. We are also aware of misinformation being repeated on the NFL’s own network that is not sourced and is only designed to tarnish Trent’s reputation. Our union supports Trent, is protecting his rights and continues to consider potential action if a campaign against him continues.”

Of course, this is in reference to the growth on Williams’ head that turned out to be cancerous. As Florio notes, the “misinformation” that the union referred to in its statement is the report that Charley Casserly delivered on the NFL Network on Friday, when he said that the team told Williams to have the growth biopsied three years ago, but Williams failed to do so. Although the NFLPA is upset that the league’s own network is relaying this allegedly inaccurate info, this is not the first time we have heard it. ESPN had a similar report (derived from team sources) back in July.

Nonetheless, it is coming to light again because Williams recently reported to the team to avoid having his contract toll. He failed his physical because putting on his helmet caused him pain as a result of the surgery to remove the growth, and the Redskins now have roughly two weeks to find a Williams a helmet that doesn’t hurt him. If they can’t, they may end up putting him on the non-football injury list for the remainder of the season.

The team has requested a third-party review of Williams’ medical records in order to prove it did not act inappropriately with respect to Williams, and the league and the union are launching a joint investigation into Williams’ claims to the contrary. Florio believes it will be difficult for Washington to escape blame, because even if it did tell Williams to have the growth examined, it should have pressed the issue, especially if the growth continued to expand. Florio says, “[a]bsent clear documentation that Williams was acting against clear and unmistakable medical advice, the mere fact that someone flagged the growth for further examination three years ago but that it was not biopsied for an extended period of time points to clear negligence.” 

In any event, the relationship between player and team seems beyond repair. Assuming that Williams is able to comfortably wear a helmet at some point in the near future, the Redskins could explore trading him this offseason.

The Trent Williams saga has taken another turn. Earlier today, Williams told Les Carpenter of the Washington Post that the growth on his head had turned out to be a cancerous tumor, and blamed the Redskins for not recognizing the seriousness of the issue sooner. Now, Washington has issued a press release indicating it wants a third-party review of Williams’ medical records, ostensibly to remove any blame placed on the Redskins.

“The Washington Redskins have requested that the NFL’s Management Council convene a joint committee with the NFLPA to review the medical records and the medical are given to Trent Williams. We have requested this review under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement that provides for an independent third-party review of any NFL player’s medical care. The Redskins continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our players and staff.”

Williams first noticed the growth in 2013, but he says Redskins doctors told him the issue was not severe. However, he’s since been diagnosed with Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP), a “soft tissue sarcoma that develops in the deep layers of the skin.” This offseason, the Redskins sent Williams to a hospital where the condition was finally recognized, and he had an operation during the winter to remove the growth.

The most pressing issue here is clearly Williams’ long-term health, but it’s difficult to avoid how Williams’ latest revelation — and the Redskins’ response — will further fracture the relationship between team and player. Washington failed to trade Williams before Tuesday’s deadline, and the veteran offensive tackle subsequently reported to the club. However, he failed his physical after his helmet gave him discomfort. If the Redskins can’t find Williams a helmet in the next two weeks, he’s likely to be placed on the non-football injury list, ending his season.

The Redskins ultimately held on to offensive tackle Trent Williams at the trade deadline, but the club is hoping to deal the veteran lineman this offseason, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Washington reportedly received a second-round offer from the Browns, but weren’t interested in moving Williams at that price. Instead, the team will carry Williams on its roster and attempt to trade him next February or March. At that point, Williams would have one year and $12.5MM in salary remaining on his contract.

The saga doesn’t simply end there, however. Williams failed his physical today after experiencing discomfort while putting on his helmet, and if the Redskins aren’t able to find a suitable helmet over the next few weeks, they will likely place Williams on the non-football injury list, ending his 2019 campaign before it begins, per Rapoport (Twitter link).

Williams, of course, underwent scalp surgery in April and had a benign growth removed. Even if Williams is placed on the NFI list, his contract will not toll, per RapSheet, although the Redskins could certainly be up for a legal challenge.