Redskins rookie cornerback Fabian Moreau will visit the doctors early next week to see where his health stands prior to the starting of training camp. He did not participate in offseason workouts.
As he continues to rehab from a torn pectoral suffered during UCLA's pro day in March, Washington Redskins rookie cornerback Fabian Moreau will see a doctor early next week prior to training camp taking place at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center in Richmond, Va.
Moreau will learn then whether or not he's been cleared to participate in on-field activities.
"Hopefully I get cleared, or if not, hopefully it'll be soon," Moreau told Larry Michael on "Redskins Nation" earlier this week. "But I feel good I feel ready to get back on the field."
Moreau was selected in the third round out of the 2017 NFL Draft. After Washington selected defensive lineman Jonathan Allen in the first round and linebacker Ryan Anderson in the second round, the team set sights on a cornerback some had graded out as a first-round talent prior to his injury.
"I had him as a first-round corner before he tore his pec bench-pressing at his pro day," noted NFL Network's Mike Mayock. "He's got speed, length and ball skills. He just needs to be more consistently physical and needs more snaps to understand the game a bit better."
While the Redskins have high expectations for Moreau, he did not record a single rep during offseason workouts, instead rehabbing on the side with other recovering players like safeties Montae Nicholson and DeAngelo Hall and linebacker Houston Bates.
To be a step behind in that regard has been difficult for the 23-year-old.
"Not being able to showcase my talents out on the field, not being able to compete out there [has been tough]," Moreau said. "But I'm a firm believer in God and his plan for me."
On Friday, April 28, 2017, the Washington Redskins selected cornerback Fabian Moreau with the 81st overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Moreau added that he's "ready to get back on the field and show everybody what I can do."
"I'm just willing to do my job—whatever that may be—and do it to the best of my ability and just help this team win," Moreau said.
In four years with UCLA, Moreau recorded 148 tackles (98 solo), 26 pass breakups, three interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 51 career games. During his senior season in 2016, he received honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors, as he led the Bruins in passes defensed (10) while guiding a secondary that allowed a conference-low 12 passing touchdowns.
Now in a secondary that includes starting cornerbacks Josh Norman and Bashaud Breeland along with 2015 third-round pick Kendall Fuller, the Redskins will have to determine just how Moreau fits in within the group once healthy.
Redskins head coach Jay Gruden is confident that Moreau will excel, though, regardless of what is asked of him or how large his workload will be as a rookie.
"He's good at bump-and-run," Gruden said. "I still think he's growing. You know, he's only been playing [cornerback], like I said, for three years, very similar to what we're going through with [Quinton] Dunbar right here. We got another guy that can really run on the outside, you know, to go with obviously Norman and Breeland and Kendall. You can never have too many guys that are physical and can run. We play obviously a very tough division with Dez Bryant, now we have Alshon Jeffrey and obviously Brandon Marshall and Beckham, so the more guys that can run, cover and hit, the better."