Washington Redskins Su’a Cravens applies for reinstatement

Placed on the Washington Redskins’ reserve/left squad list just before the start of the 2017 season, Su’a Cravens has officially applied for reinstatement.

For much of the 2017 season, Su’a Cravens‘ status with the Washington Redskins, and the NFL, for that matter, was in doubt. The now third-year safety left the squad unexpectedly after Week 4 of preseason,  but now, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, it appears he’s looking to come back.

Cravens, 22, is a talented player. Drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Cravens quickly molded a role for himself as an energetic, physical defender. Throughout his rookie season, he played as a hybrid linebacker, but in the lead-up to the 2017 season, the team was planning on using him as a starting safety alongside D.J. Swearinger.

As we all know, however, those plans went awry when Cravens allegedly suffered a concussion in preseason. The injury was misdiagnosed, and as a result of the concussion, Cravens suffered symptoms that caused his emotions to flare, and for a time, he strongly considered retiring from football.

The Washington Redskins placed him on the reserve/left squad list to give him time to mull over his decision, and he was there for the entire 2017 season.

While Cravens may be ready to come back, it is unclear if the Washington Redskins will accept him with open arms. The safety’s desire to play the game may have been solidified with this action, but his role on the defense has been usurped by Montae Nicholson, who is clearly in line to start next year.

The trust between Cravens and the front office may have been damaged too greatly by his purported retirement to warrant a return to the Redskins. And with his role in 2018 unclear, the Washington Redskins could opt to trade Cravens. In the wake of this report, his value will likely go up in some NFL circles. The biggest concern surrounding Cravens was his desire to play football. Now that he’s applied to be reinstated, that is no longer a worry. Thus, the Washington Redskins could fetch good value in a trade involving the former USC Trojan.

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Nonetheless, return to the Washington Redskins can’t be ruled out for Cravens. He would provide athletic talent and depth to a secondary that is in need of both, in varying degrees. Still on his rookie deal, Cravens is not a burdensome cap number, and were he to return, he would make the defense better. Be sure to stay with Riggo’s Rag, as we’ll keep you updated as the situation unfolds.