Washington Redskins sign embattled free agent WR Michael Floyd

The Redskins receiving core has undergone some fine tuning the day after the team’s home opening loss.

Heading into the season, it was known that the Washington Redskins were banking on youth at the wide receiver position, similarly to their defensive backfield as well. The gamble paid off for the secondary. The receiving core? Not so much.

In the first game of the season, the Redskins lost both Trey Quinn and Cam Sims to ankle injuries, placing both on injured reserve. Heading out of Week 2, Maurice Harris is still experiencing lingering effects from a concussion sustained in preseason. Thus, the Redskins came out of their Week 2 game with just five healthy receivers: Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson, Jamison Crowder, Brian Quick, and second-year pass catcher Jehu Chesson.

Earlier today, the Redskins sought to bolster their weakening receiving core. They brought in former first-round pick Breshad Perriman for a workout, and he ultimately impressed enough to be given a deal. In a corresponding move, the Redskins waived Chesson, who was active on Sunday against the Colts.

Chesson played mainly on special teams in Week 2, but he was targeted by Alex Smith on one occasion. He dropped the pass.

Trading in Chesson for Perriman is an upgrade, in a vacuum. But the move is tantamount to trading in a cheap Factory Five that requires assembly for a Ferrari with no wheels. It doesn’t change the fact that the Redskins are hurting at the wide receiver position. Josh Doctson hasn’t shown growth, and even if he did, Alex Smith doesn’t appear willing to give him consistent chances. Richardson and Crowder have struggled to gain traction as well.

After that inconsequential move, however, the Redskins weren’t done yet. They later signed embattled wide receiver Michael Floyd to a deal as well, per Ian Rapoport. Floyd eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark with the Arizona Cardinals back in 2013, but since then, he’s amassed only 2,702 yards, averaging 540 yards per season. Last year, he caught just 10 balls for 78 yards. He’s had trouble with the law in the past, and more likely than not, his peak is far behind him.

Washington is clearly frustrated with the lack of production from their receivers, but the issue may not be the fault of the receivers alone. Time will tell if these additions prove to factor toward any tangible solution, but judging by their respective histories, the outlook is not a promising one.