Re-joining the Redskins after a surprise 2015 season, veteran cornerback Will Blackmon could extend his duties on defense past just playing on the outside in 2016.

Will Blackmon wanted to find somewhere to call home for more than a handful of months.

Originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Blackmon has spent time with the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and had two different stints with the Seattle Seahawks, along with a brief stint for the Arena Football League's Arizona Rattlers.

Blackmon signed with the Redskins last September, appearing in 15 games with 10 starts.

Last month, he re-signed with Washington, giving him some of that stability that he's been craving.

The Redskins like his ability to play both inside and out at the cornerback position and even some safety, too.

"He can play it all," Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said at the NFC Coaches Breakfast last month. "He's a quality person too, for the locker room. And we're going to try him a little bit more at safety possibly, too, to help our depth at the safety position. Jack of all trades for Will."

Blackmon was signed before the Redskins' Week 2 victory over the St. Louis Rams after it was announced that Chris Culliver would serve a one-game suspension.

While the Boston College product would appear on just five defensive snaps in his Redskins debut, by season's end he was a full-time starter and one of the team's most consistent defensive players.

Now this upcoming season, Blackmon could be asked to expand his role to include some action at safety.

"We've got Blackmon who we might try out there a little bit," Gruden said.

One reason Blackmon might get more action at safety? The health status of Kyshoen Jarrett.

Jarrett was quite the find as the 181st-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Not only did he collect 63 tackles and force a fumble, he was perhaps the team's most versatile defensive back, spotted all across the field.

But Jarrett is still recovering from a shoulder and nerve issue that's could cost him extensive time this offseason.

"He doesn't have much strength right now," Gruden said. "It's not firing to give him strength. It's going to take some time. I don't know how long that's going to be yet. Something we can't predict really, just going to continue to rehab and hopefully it fires, we'll send him to some specialists and hopefully get him out there soon. He'll do everything he can to get ready I know that. The kid loves, loves, loves football and wants to get out there fast."

Jarrett is hopeful that he can make a full recovery by July when training camp opens up in Richmond, Va.

"My hope is to be ready by camp or before camp," Jarrett said. "Maybe mandatory mini-camp. I really don't know. I can't really tell you a timetable on the nerve. They say nerves take the longest to heal. I know at three months, that's when I'll start seeing a lot of progression within my arm. But we'll see. I'm not 100 percent sure." 

For now, though, the Redskins will once again call on the services of Blackmon. If he performs like he did in 2015, Washington will have made the right move in re-signing him.

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