Redskins tight end Jordan Reed has made the all-too-important Week 1 declaration.
Despite missing all of camp thus far with a nagging toe injury (Reed is still on the Redskins' physically unable to perform list), the star pass catcher has zero doubt that he'll be ready for the regular-season opener against Philadelphia.
"Not at all," Reed said, via ESPN.com. "I'll be back out there soon."
As Redskins beat writer John Keim wisely noted in his story, an injury like this one is fertile ground for other injuries. Reed said the awkwardness of working around his injured toe this summer caused an ankle sprain. Until the toe is sturdy, there's no reason for Reed to increase his workload.
While Reed posted 66 catches for 686 yards and six touchdowns last year while dealing with the issue, his 2015 season (952 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns) is a more accurate picture of what he's capable of in Jay Gruden's offense. Facing a season where the team lost two of its top playmakers in free agency (DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon) they cannot afford to have their best remaining one sidelined off and on.
The good thing about NFL training staffs is they are not as reverential to playing Week 1 than fans. The true goal is to maximize Reed's healthy on-field playing time this year and if that means losing a game to start the season, so be it. Gruden's quote on the matter was more reflective of Reed's reality.
"From every indication I've received from the doctors and trainers and from Jordan, I feel he'll be ready for the season," Gruden said. "But you never know, so we'll still have to wait and see. Things are odd from time to time, but I have total faith that he'll be ready."
Things are indeed odd, and need to be taken into account when creating a timetable for return.
Here are some other injuries we've been tracking on this Sunday in the middle of training camps:
- Keeping things in Washington, wide receiver Josh Doctson is being evaluated for a hamstring injury, according to the team. Offensive tackle Trent Williams rested with a mild abdominal bruise.
- Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Cordy Glenn returned to practice after visiting a foot specialist recently, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Wide receiver Sammy Watkinstweaked his ankle, per ESPN's Mike Rodak, causing him to leave practice briefly before returning.
- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (shoulder) did some light throwing on the sideline during practice. Newton hasn't thrown in drills since the opening days of camp.
- Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (knee) sat out practice again. He missed Friday's session after experiencing swelling in his knee. Veteran safety Eric Berry (heel) and linebacker Derrick Johnson (Achilles tendon) also sat out, but coach Andy Reid wasn't too concerned about their ailments.
"We just pulled off him a little, he's got a sore heel," Reid explained of Berry, via the team's official site. "I think we're going to be OK. It gets inflamed every once in a while, and you just back off."
"[Derrick Johnson] -- he had three good solid days (of practice)," Reid added. "We're monitoring him with the Achilles, but he's good."
- New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa is still undergoing evaluation for a neck injury he suffered Saturday, a source informed of the situation told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
- Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery returned to practice after dealing a shoulder issue last week. Linebacker Mychal Kendricks (quad) and running back Donnel Pumphrey (hamstring) also were back at practice.
- Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters Saturday there still is no timeline for Joe Flacco's return from his back injury.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars removed rookie fullback Marquez Williams from the PUP list after he was medically cleared to return to practice.