Redskins.com's Stephen Czarda answers YOUR questions submitted on Twitter about the Redskins' roster and more as Washington continues to build for the upcoming season.
Chris Bladen asks: #HailMail I sa[w] an update on how @ChrisThompson_4 is doing with rehab but any word on Jordan Reed. [A] full season healthy would be amazing.
* *During the NFL's Owners Meetings this week in Orlando, Fla., Redskins head coach Jay Gruden was asked about the status of Jordan Reed.
Gruden confirmed that Reed, who is recovering from procedures that were done on his feet, will not be participating in OTAs.
"We've taken the necessary steps to get him right, and I think he's had some procedures done on his toes and now it's just a matter of the rehab and he's been working hard at it," Gruden said. "He's been working on his upper body while his toe are recovering, so hopefully we'll see a 100 percent healthy Jordan by training camp."
By not having Reed participate in OTAs, the Redskins are hoping to get the former Pro Bowl tight end back to 100 percent health for training camp and the regular season. While Reed spent the entirety of the preseason last year on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list due to his toe injury, he was able to return in time for the regular season opener.
Despite being on the field for the opening game, Reed struggled to overcome the issue before being placed on Injured Reserve after just six appearances. And when he was active, Reed didn't quite have the same burst fans had been accustoming to seeing out of him.
While it was the fewest games Reed has played in a season to date, Gruden understands that have Reed fully heathy changes the dynamic of Washington's offense and that few can match exactly what he does on the field.
"I think in his absence last year, Vernon Davis did some good things and [Jeremy] Sprinkle got a lot of work there towards the end of the year, which will be helpful to his progression as a player. So that's good news. But Jordan is a special guy," Gruden said. "There's not many tight ends in pro football that can do what he can do as far as running the option routes across the middle and breaking people down and then lining up on the outside and beating people deep, across the middle. He's a special talent. He makes us better, without a doubt."
Wes Tate asks: Will Jon Allen be 100% week 1? #HailMail
I had the chance to talk with Jonathan Allen this week and the second-year defensive lineman noted on numerous occasions just how eager he was to be back on the field. He also said that while he's not sure what his workload will be when the first phase of OTAs begins next month, he's confident he'll be fully ready to go once the season begins.
"I feel like I'm going to be in a good spot come OTAs, so I'm excited for that," Allen said. "and right now, I'm just taking it day by day, just trying to grind."
Allen, of course, suffered a Lisfranc injury during Washington's Week 5 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in October before being placed on Injured Reserve. While Allen briefly participated in rehab workouts towards the end of the regular season, he was never activated off Injured Reserve after the Redskins were eliminated from playoff contention.
With a new season on the horizon, the Alabama product is excited to get back to football with his teammates.
"I can't tell you how much I miss it, and how much I can't wait to just get back out there and be a part of the team again, you know, because it is different," said Allen, who still attended meetings despite being on Injured Reserve. "You're a part of the team but you don't feel like you're truly a part of the team when you're not on the field, you know and you're not dying in practice with your guys, so that's definitely the stuff that I miss."
Chris Loller asks: #HailMail are there any updates on [any] other free agents Redskins might be [targeting]
So far this offseason, the Redskins have added four free agents (Pernell McPhee, Orlando Scandrick, Sam Irwin-Hill and Paul Richardson) while re-signing five players (Brian Quick, Zach Brown, Deshazor Everett, Dustin Hopkins and Mason Foster) as well.
The Redskins also placed a second-round tender on exclusive rights free agent Ty Nsekhe.
While at the Owners Meetings this week, both Gruden and President Bruce Allen explained the Redskins' patient process of team building.
"Sometimes you don't have to go out and sign 35 or 40 guys like certain teams have done," Gruden said. "I think we're able to play a lot of guys last year, we have a lot of guys on our roster that I feel good about, a core group of guys on our team that I feel like can compete. Get those guys ready to go, continue in there developmental process, add some key components in the draft and college free agents. Sprinkle in a few free agents here, from now until training camp and I think we're ready to compete."
While McPhee and Scandrick were two free agents that the Redskins signed during free agency after reported visits, the team also reportedly met with defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins. The 26-year-old was released by the Indianapolis Colts after one season. Prior to the 2017 season, Hankins spent four years with the New York Giants.
"I'm sure there's still a chance," Gruden said when asked specifically about Hankins. "Why wouldn't there be a chance? There's always a chance. [Laughter] 'So you're saying there's a chance?' Yeah, we're still talking about some of the free agents that are still out there, as we will be all the way up until training camp.
"We want to have that ability to add our draft picks, obviously, then a lot of college free agents, and then also there will be a few more adds as far as free agents out there right now."
