Latest On Redskins WR Josh Doctson
Redskins first-round receiver Josh Doctson could be a candidate for injured reserve as he continues to deal with an Achilles injury, coach Jay Gruden told reporters, including Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post (Twitter link). Gruden indicated that Docston will be sidelined at least through Washington’s bye week, meaning the pass-catcher wouldn’t return to the field until Week 10, at earliest, according to Liz Clarke of the Washington Post.
[RELATED: Washington Redskins Depth Chart]
“I think it’s a possibility, we’ll see,” said Gruden about Doctson going on IR. “I think we send him to another doctor, get another opinion. I think the plan right now is probably immobilize him for a little bit just to take complete stress off of it for a little bit of time and see where that leads us. IR — maybe, maybe not. We don’t know yet.”
Earlier this month, Gruden had similary expressed a hope that the Redskins wouldn’t have to shelve Doctson for the year. “We’ll have to wait and see if this thing gets any better the next week or so and go from there,” said Gruden at the time. “I hate to put him on IR and then he’s better tomorrow, you know what I mean, because he’s such a valuable, big play type guy. We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and see what happens.”
The 22nd overall pick in this year’s draft, Doctson has only managed to appear in two of the Redskins’ five games to this point. In those two contests, Doctson has hauled in two-of-six targets for 66 yards, but hasn’t found the end zone just yet. Washington isn’t wanting for wide receivers without Doctson, as the club still boasts DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Jamison Crowder.
Jordan Reed To Miss Week 6
The Redskins will be without their top pass-catcher against the Eagles on Sunday. Washington downgraded Jordan Reed to out, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).
Previously listed as questionable, Reed has struggled with concussions throughout his career, having now sustained six documented head injuries. Washington is fairly deep at the tight end position and will turn to Vernon Davis and Niles Paul against its division rival.
However, the Redskins don’t have another player who can replicate Reed’s skills. He’s made 33 receptions for 316 yards and two touchdowns thus far this season and broke out for an 87-catch, 952-receiving-yard, 11-touchdown season in 2015. That earned the 26-year-old Reed a five-year, $46.5MM extension this offseason, but this latest setback will extend the tight end’s streak of failing to play a 16-game season to four. Reed missed two games in 2015 and a combined 12 regular-season contests in 2013-14.
Davis and Paul have combined for 11 receptions and 110 yards this season.
Su’a Cravens will also be unavailable Sunday for the Redskins due to a concussion.
Latest On Redskins TE Jordan Reed
The Redskins have listed tight end Jordan Reed as questionable on their injury report for this week. Of course, after suffering yet another concussion, it would be surprising if Reed suits up on Sunday against the Eagles.
Reed has now suffered six documented concussions and he has likely had even more throughout the course of his football playing career. The tight end has admitted that he did not report one of his two concussions suffered in 2013.
So far this year, Reed leads all Redskins receivers with 33 catches for 316 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll likely be out for at least this week and the Redskins will turn to Vernon Davis and Niles Paul to replace him in the lineup. If Washington opts to promote a tight end, they could promote Derek Carrier from the practice squad.
Reed signed an extension with the Redskins this spring, a five-year pact with a $46.5MM base. After being limited to just 20 overall games in 2013 and 2014, Reed stayed healthy for 14 games last season, racking up 87 receptions for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Practice Squad Updates: 10/12/16
Earlier today, the Steelers made a notable practice squad move when they signed running back Karlos Williams. Here’s the rest of today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: QB Zac Dysert
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Lou Young
- Cut: S Marcus Ball
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Anthony Fabiano
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Jay Lee
- Cut: DB Charles Washington
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: RB Senorise Perry
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Shaq Evans
- Cut: FB Glenn Gronkowski
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Eric Pinkins
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: TE Cooper Helfet
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL A.J. Francis
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Davis Tull
- Cut: P Michael Palardy
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: K Marshall Morgan (Twitter link via Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Brian Mihalik
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: C Jake Brendel, T Terry Poole (Twitter link via Howard Balzer)
- Cut: G Jamil Douglas (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com)
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Ian Silberman (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Giants
- Signed: QB Logan Thomas (Twitter link via James Kratch of NJ.com)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LB Don Cherry, CB Duke Thomas
- Cut: FB Andrew Bonnet, G Darrell Greene
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: FB Julian Howsare
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cut: LB Josh Keyes
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL Joey Mbu
- Cut: CB Robertson Daniel, LB Jason Fanaika
Redskins Audition Three DTs; Won't Sign Knighton Or Taylor
- The Redskins worked out defensive tackles Jermelle Cudjo, A.J. Francis, and Joey Mbu today, per Caplan (Twitter link). Washington met with fellow DTs Terrance Knighton (link) and Phil Taylor (link) today as well, but won’t be signing either one at this time, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post (Twitter link).
Titans, Redskins Put In Claims On Benwikere
The Dolphins weren’t the only club interested in cornerback Bene Benwikere. Both the Titans and Redskins put in claims for Benwikere, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link), but Miami and its higher waiver priority were able to land the defensive back.
[RELATED: Redskins Host Terrance Knighton On Visit]
Neither Tennessee nor Washington has been particularly poor against the pass this year, as the clubs rank 14th and 18th, respectively, in pass defense DVOA, and ninth and 22nd, respectively, in passing yards allowed. As such, it seems as though each club was simply trying to inject youthful talent into its defensive backfield, and Benwikere, who just recently turned 25, fits that bill.
A starting cornerback for Carolina this year, Benwikere was waived after Julio Jones exploded for a 300-yard game in Week (228 of those yards coming against Benwikere). After the game, Benwikere admitted to reporters that he was gassed, and that may have played a role in his release. The Panthers were expected to shake things up in the secondary, but few expected them to drop one of their top cornerbacks.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Redskins Host Terrance Knighton On Visit
Could Pot Roast return to D.C.? Today, the Redskins are hosting Terrance Knighton on a visit, as Mike Jones of The Washington Post tweets. With Knighton and Phil Taylor in town, the Redskins are clearly looking to bolster the interior of their defensive line. 
[RELATED: Redskins Hosting Phil Taylor On Visit]
After finishing his contract in Denver, Knighton was expected to cash in following the 2014 season. Instead, he found a mild free agent market and settled for a low-priced one-year deal with the Redskins. As a nose tackle in Washington’s 3-4 scheme, Pot Roast logged 29 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2015. Although he didn’t have quite the same impact last year that he did during his final season as a Bronco, Knighton ranked in the top half of Pro Football Focus’ list of qualified interior defenders, placing 58th out of 123 players. Predictably, PFF assigned Knighton a much better grade as a run defender than as a pass rusher.
This past offseason, he hooked on with the Patriots but was released in late August. Knighton’s release came as something of a surprise, especially given the Pats’ depth concerns on the defensive line. Now, the Redskins need some veteran help on the D-Line and he could circle back there.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Redskins Hosting DT Phil Taylor On Visit
The Redskins are hosting defensive tackle Phil Taylor for a workout today, Mike Jones of The Washington Post tweets. 
[RELATED: Josh Doctson Likely To Avoid IR]
A first-round pick in 2011, Taylor was cut by the Browns at his request before the 2015 season when it became clear that Danny Shelton would be the club’s starting nose tackle. Taylor did not find an NFL home after that and he remained in limbo until February of this year when the Broncos picked him up. Unfortunately, his knee issues popped up again over the summer and Denver ultimately tossed him back into the water.
Taylor, 28, was a starter on defense for Cleveland in 2013, but only played 555 defensive snaps, serving primarily as a run stopper. While he wasn’t a full-time player, Taylor’s performance against the run still placed him a solid 26th among 69 qualified defensive tackles, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. He then played just 133 snaps in 2014 before being sidelined with a knee injury.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Josh Doctson Likely To Avoid IR
Redskins first-round receiver Josh Doctson didn’t play in today’s win against the Ravens, and he’s expected to be sidelined for several more weeks as he deals with an Achilles injury, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). However, Doctson is not expected to be placed on injured reserve.
[RELATED: Redskins Sign Donte Whitner]
Earlier this week, Washington head coach Jon Gruden didn’t rule out an eventual trip to IR for Doctson. We’ll have to wait and see if this thing gets any better the next week or so and go from there,” said Gruden. “I hate to put him on IR and then he’s better tomorrow, you know what I mean, because he’s such a valuable, big play type guy. We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and see what happens.”
The 22nd overall pick in this year’s draft, Doctson has only managed to appear in two of the Redskins’ five games to this point. In those two contests, Doctson has hauled in two-of-six targets for 66 yards, but hasn’t found the end zone just yet. Washington isn’t wanting for wide receivers without Doctson, as the club still boasts DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Jamison Crowder.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.