The Washington Redskins have high hopes for the upcoming season which could easily be crushed if injuries continue at their current pace. No one had a worse preseason opener than the Redskins as the lost their starting tight end Niles Paul and backup running back Silas Redd for the season due to various injuries. Now the Redskins must try and make the most of the current free agent market as pressure mounts on Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris in contract seasons.
According to ESPN's John Keim, the Redskins are currently looking for a replacement to fill the void left by Paul who is now out for the season. The free agent market for tight ends is very small, but does include the familiar face of Fred Davis. However, according to Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN, the chances of Davis seeing Washington again is slim to none as the veteran is dealing with knee issues. Chris Cooley has been discussed as an option, but that is not likely happening considering how long he has been out of the league. Zach Miller is available for the taking if the Redskins feel they needed added help with Jordan Reed. The team did sign DJ Williams who has been all over the league. He may or may not make the final roster, putting the Redskins back in the same place they were originally.
The lack of tight end depth could hurt Griffin as he enters a season that will likely determine his future with the franchise. The Redskins picked up his fifth-year option, but that in no way guarantees the quarterback will return if he has another bad season. Griffin stressed that he believes he is the best quarterback in the NFL is not fazed by contract issues.
"I don't feel like I have to come out here and show anybody anything or why I'm better than this guy or better than that guy. It's more about going out and affirming that for me, I go out and I play, I know I'm the best quarterback on this team. I feel like I'm the best quarterback in the league and I have to go out and show that," Griffin said, via the Washington Post. "Any athlete at any level, if they concede to someone else, they're not a top competitor, they're not trying to be the best that they can be.
The injury to Redd puts pressure on Morris to handle the heavy workload as he enters the final year of his contract. The running back has not looked as dominant as he once did in his rookie season. Redd and Matt Jones were expected to pressure the starter for his spot on the depth chart. For now, the Redskins will continue with Jones and Morris as their starting two backs.