Redskins promote TE J.P. Holtz to active roster ahead of Week 17

A Redskins preseason hero has returned, to save the team’s season.

Well, actually, the Washington Redskins season is already beyond saving. But there’s a silver lining in that fact. Unheralded players get a chance to prove themselves, and some of those unknown names wind up sticking around.

Between preseason and the end of the season, opportunities for reserve players to prove themselves are few and far between, so J.P. Holtz needs to make sure he makes an impact against the Eagles in Week 17. He was recently promoted off of Washington’s practice squad, to bolster a thinning tight end unit. The move was reported by ESPN reporter John Keim.

Holtz, a product of the Pittsburgh Panthers, should be a familiar name for Redskins fans. There was practically a petition to include him on the 53-man roster after preseason, as the former undrafted free agent made waves in August, showing off his prowess as a lead blocker for Adrian Peterson.

The Redskins ultimately went in a different direction; they kept only three tight ends, and used Ryan Anderson on occasion as a lead blocker in goal line situations. It was a strategy that worked, and Washington was able to stash Holtz on the practice squad, along with Matt Flanagan.

But now, with both Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis out for the final game of the season, Jeremy Sprinkle and Flanagan were the only tight ends on the roster. Holtz will be active as the team’s third tight end, and receive regular season action that will be valuable.

Holtz was endeared to fans over a short period of time just a few months ago. With a strong performance on Sunday, and with the Redskins’ tight end situation in flux for the future, Holtz could play himself into next year’s final roster conversation a little bit early.