Redskins Sign G Hugh Thornton
The Redskins announced that they’ve signed free agent guard Hugh Thornton, who hasn’t played in the NFL since the 2016 campaign. Washington also formally announced the previously-reported signing of offensive tackle Donald Penn, and waived center Casey Dunn and guard Tyler Catalina.
Thornton, now 28, was a third-round draft pick of the Colts in 2013. Over his first three seasons in the NFL, Thornton was a contributor, starting 37 total games and earning mostly positive grades — especially in the run game — from Pro Football Focus.
After spending the 2016 season on injured reserve, Thornton inked a one-year deal with the Falcons in May 2017, but announced his retirement just two months later. He ended that retirement earlier this year to play for the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football.
Ereck Flowers, who’d been filling in as Washington’s left tackle until Penn arrived, is penciled in as the club’s starting left guard. Despite Flowers’ run of failure in the NFL, it’s difficult to envision Thornton overtaking him for a starting job, but he could add depth to the Redskins’ line.
Redskins Discussing Trent Williams Trade
The Redskins are having trade discussions regarding tackle Trent Williams, according to a source who spoke with Jeff Howe of The Athletic (Twitter link). It’s unclear as to what they’re seeking in a trade, but there’s a feeling around the league the Patriots would be involved, Howe hears. 
There’s reportedly no end in sight to Williams’ holdout with the Redskins, so it only makes sense for the club to see what’s out there. They also just added veteran Donald Penn to the mix, so there’s a safety net in place in case they can’t smooth things out with Williams.
Williams has two years to go on his contract with $24MM in total remaining. He also hasn’t played a full season since 2013 and has missed 13 games over the last three years, but he is still an elite LT when on the field.
With depth issues at tackle, the Patriots would be a natural landing spot for Williams. It also helps that the Patriots carved out additional cap space by restructuring Marcus Cannon‘s contract on Wednesday. Still, even after the adjustment, the Pats only have $7.49MM in cap room and would have to fit Williams’ $11MM base pay under the cap.
Redskins To Sign Donald Penn
The Redskins have made a major upgrade on the offensive line. The team is set to sign veteran tackle Donald Penn to a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). 
[RELATED: “No End In Sight” To Trent Williams Holdout]
Penn will provide the Redskins with serious insurance against Trent Williams‘ very serious holdout. His presence also means that the team won’t have to rely heavily Ereck Flowers, a former draft bust of the rival Giants who was originally signed to play on the interior.
The Redskins expressed interest in Penn during his 2014 free agency and, many years later, they finally got their man. Penn is a proven commodity, though he was shelved by injury for much of the 2018 season. Prior to that, he started in 174 of 176 possible games dating back to 2007.
This might not be the end of the team’s offensive line shuffling. The Redskins could still use some depth, particularly at guard, and the club could explore trading Williams now that they have a proper fill-in.
Trey Quinn To Be Slot Receiver
On Saturday, Giants wide receiver Golden Tate was suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Though the veteran is appealing the suspension, don’t expect him to win that appeal, NJ.com’s Ryan Dunleavy writes.
After the suspension was doled out, Tate took to Twitter to say the test stemmed from a fertility treatment and he and the Giants are confident in the facts coming out. Citing former NFL doctor David J. Chao, Dunleavy expects the suspension to remain.
“Appreciate the story but if this is the basis for appeal, suspension will be upheld under current CBA. Like admitting you went over the speed limit because your speedometer broken. Still means a ticket,” Chao said [Twitter link].
Dunleavy went on to compare the case to that of defensive end Robert Mathis, who was suspended in 2014 for using the fertility drug, Clomid. He also cited the NFL does not typically reduce suspension lengths upon appeal.
With the suspension to Tate adds insult to several injuries for the Giants, who lost Sterling Shepard and Corey Coleman to injuries earlier in the week.
Here’s more from around the NFC East:
- Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence held off on shoulder surgery until after he inked his new deal this offseason. The star pass-rusher is targeting the season opener vs. the Giants for when he will get back on the field,” Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams writes. “I’m not saying I’m going to overload my workload for the season opener or what they want to do with me or have me off the PUP list by the season opener, but hopefully be ready by the season opener.”
- Staying in Dallas, linebacker Sean Lee is playing teams in training camp, the first time playing with the unit since his second season in the league, Williams writes. “I am just trying to help anyway I can,” Lee said Sunday. “I like being on the field. I want to try to make an impact. You can make a lot of plays on special teams, hopefully plays that can change a game. Having an impact anyway I can, that’s my goal.” With the emergence of Leighton Vander Esch in 2018, Lee is also moving to strongside linebacker in 2019.
- Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said receiver Trey Quinn has the slot-receiver role locked up, ESPN’s John Keim tweets. This was long expected as Quinn has received rave reviews and the lack of depth at the spot on the roster.
“No End In Sight” To Trent Williams Holdout
Redskins left tackle Trent Williams is holding out of training camp due to several issues. One, he remains frustrated with Washington’s medical staff because he believes it was not attentive enough to a lump on his head that turned out to be a pre-cancerous growth (Williams ultimately was diagnosed by his own doctors after the 2018 season and had multiple surgeries to have the growth removed).
Second, he wants a new contract, though his current deal still has two years and $24MM remaining. Obviously, the medical issue appears to be spilled milk at this point, but Washington could assuage Williams’ lingering frustrations and get him back in camp if it were to address his contract in some way (extension, pay raise, etc.).
However, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link) says that the situation between player and team has not changed at all, so there is no end in sight to Williams’ holdout. Until something happens on the contract front, RapSheet does not expect Williams to report. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports goes one step further, reiterating his previous report that the relationship between Williams and the Redskins is “totally fractured” and that Williams has indicated he has no intention of playing for Washington again (Twitter link).
Washington is not exactly favored to take home the NFC East crown this year, but not having Williams would be hugely detrimental to the club’s chances of contending. Williams hasn’t played a full season since 2013 and has missed 13 games over the last three years, but he is still an elite LT when on the field. If the Redskins turn to their QB-of-the-future, Dwayne Haskins, at some point this year, they would love to have Williams protecting his blindside.
We also heard earlier this week that a trade or release could be in the cards if the two sides cannot find some common ground.
Redskins To Sign OT Corey Robinson
The Redskins are adding some offensive line depth. The team is signing offensive tackle Corey Robinson, according to John Keim of ESPN.com (Twitter link). 
Trent Williams didn’t report to training camp and his status with the team is uncertain at best, so it makes sense why they made the move. It’s unclear if this will impact their interest in free agent tackle Donald Penn, who we heard yesterday they planned on working out. In a separate tweet, Keim writes that sources told him there’s “still a chance” the team signs Penn.
Robinson originally entered the league as a seventh-round pick of the Lions back in 2015. He spent the next three seasons with Detroit, and started eight games for them between 2016 and 2017. He got traded to the Panthers just before the start of last season, but was released a few weeks later. He was picked up by the Jaguars in November, and ended up starting a game for them.
The Redskins lost swing tackle Ty Nsekhe in free agency this offseason, which makes the Williams situation all the more unsettling for them. Williams is apparently seeking a new contract, and hopefully they can get him back in the fold soon. Ideally, Robinson won’t be seeing the field very much.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/25/19
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived/injured: WR Quincy Adeboyejo
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: LS Dan Godsil
- Waived: WR Kermit Whitfield
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: S Fish Smithson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: T.J. Green
- Waived/injured: DL Kenny Bigelow, WR Chad Hansen
New York Jets
- Waived: DL Fred Jones
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: CB Alex Brown
- Waived/injured: OL Erik Magnuson
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: S Damon Webb
Washington Redskins
- Signed: RB Shaun Wilson
- Waived: T Brian Wallace
Donald Penn To Visit Redskins
Not much has transpired on the Donald Penn front since the Raiders released him. Trent Williams‘ holdout looks to have changed that. The Redskins will host the former Raiders and Buccaneers tackle on a visit, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Penn will work out for the team, John Keim of ESPN.com tweets.
The Raiders cut Penn more than four months ago, and other than some interest from the Texans, the 36-year-old blocker has experienced a quiet free agency stay. Washington, though, may be ready to move on bringing in a Williams replacement/stopgap. It could also be an attempt to bring the holdout back into the fold.
Washington expressed interest in Penn during his 2014 free agency, Mike Jones of USA Today tweets. Redskins president Bruce Allen was with the Bucs when they drafted Penn.
Penn profiles as a far more proven player than Ereck Flowers, who slid over to left tackle during Washington’s minicamp. Flowers has struggled at tackle throughout his career, and although the Redskins were planning to try him at guard, it looks like they will keep him on the edge for the time being, Jay Gruden said (via Les Carpenter of the Washington Post, on Twitter).
The Raiders deployed Penn as their left tackle starter for four seasons, then moved him to the right side for what turned out to be a short stay. An early-season injury shelved Penn for most of the 2018 season. Prior to that, he had started 174 of a possible 176 regular-season games since entering the league in 2007.
While the Williams situation is unique, based on the 10th-year tackle being at odds with the Redskins because of their handling of an injury, Penn has been through multiple holdouts in recent years. It’s interesting another standout’s absence could create an opportunity for Penn.
It makes sense for the Redskins to protect themselves at left tackle, but Penn coming in would point to the team considering a Williams trade. The Redskins can begin fining their nine-year left-edge blocker, who also wants a new contract, for camp absences. Williams’ contract demand also comes after he has missed extensive time in recent seasons. Regardless, Washington’s left tackle spot remains in flux. Penn’s involvement complicates this situation further.
Trent Williams Does Not Report To Training Camp
Redskins LT Trent Williams did not report for training camp today, as John Keim of ESPN.com writes. This was the expected outcome after a report on Monday indicated that Williams would stay away from the team.
We kept hearing that Williams did not like how the Redskins handled his “medical situation,” and Keim says that Williams had a growth removed from his head this offseason and was upset with how many years it took for Washington to address the situation. However, a team source said the Redskins did make appointments for him over the years, but Williams did not keep the appointments.
Williams is also angling for a new contract, and Keim says it’s uncertain whether the club is willing to extend the former first-rounder’s deal — which has two years left — or guarantee some of the remaining money on the deal. The ESPN scribe also suggests that Washington could cut or trade Williams, though a trade likely wouldn’t happen until just before the season.
For what it’s worth, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden is optimistic that Williams will be back soon. Gruden said, “We expect him here shortly. Right now, there are some things he has to work out individually, personally, with his agent … whatever that may be. Love Trent, love what he’s done for this franchise and this team.”
Redskins Release Mason Foster
The Redskins released Mason Foster on Tuesday (Twitter link via Erin Hawksworth). The news comes as a surprise, especially since inside linebacker Reuben Foster won’t be able to play in 2019. 
[RELATED: Reuben Foster Done For Season]
Foster started in 16 games for the Redskins last year and was expected to return to first-string duties following R. Foster’s leg injury. Still, the team had concerns about M. Foster’s ability to play in nickel sets, which may have led to his release.
The 30-year-old tallied 131 tackles, two interceptions, and one sack last season. He’ll now be free to sign with another club as an unrestricted free agent and he likely won’t be out of work for long. By releasing Foster, the Redskins will save $4MM against just $250K in dead money.