The Redskins aren't taking any chances with Jordan Reed's health.
The team announced Wednesday that it placed the tight end on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that it's a minor toe injury, per sources informed. Due the nature of the injury, Reed's stay on PUP is expected to be a short one, Rapoport added.
It's the latest bump in the road for Reed, who missed four games in 2016 due to a concussion and a shoulder injury. He has missed a total of 18 games in his four seasons in the NFL.
Toe injuries might sound minor, but surprisingly, they aren't a laughing matter. A game that requires explosive movement from all of its 11 players on each side of the ball also requires those participants to use their big toe as part of such propulsion. Reed, one of the league's most athletic tight ends, relies on such explosion to separate himself from the rest at his position as a playmaker.
Without a walking mismatch in Reed, Washington's offense is missing one of its most versatile targets. This also speaks to how Washington is approaching the 2017 season, in which expectations fall somewhere within the postseason and Reed is more important than ever. The Redskins are being as cautious as possible to avoid any long-term issues with their most valuable players.
