The Redskins released fan favorite wide receiver Robert Davis in order to make room for an extra tight end on Sunday. The goal was always to bring Davis back, and now, they’ve done just that.
When it became apparent that Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed would be unable to suit up for the team’s 2019 regular season debut against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Redskins needed to make room for an extra tight end, to compensate for the temporary loss of their top player at the position.
To do so, the Redskins, eliciting criticism from their fan base, released third-year wide receiver Robert Davis, opting to go into Week 1 with only five receivers. Despite the move, Washington never intended to part permanently with Davis. They were keen on bringing him back, and after he cleared waivers on Monday, they were able to do so.
Per The Athletic’s Erin Hawksworth, the Redskins managed to sign Davis to their practice squad, after Davis went unclaimed on waivers. It was postulated that Davis could attract interest around the league, as a preseason standout with an excellent athletic profile. But teams often gravitate to familiar faces, and even then, there aren’t many open spots around the league, with rosters only recently finalized.
Thus, Davis was able to remain available for the Redskins to sign. Per Hawksworth, Davis signed for more than the league minimum. Perhaps this is a testament to his performance in preseason and his initial inclusion on the 53-man roster. Davis was a consistent big play threat in preseason, showing off his speed and size, and he also made plays on special teams, recovering two muffed punts in Week 3 against the Falcons.
At this point, it’s unclear whether or not a return to the active roster is in the near future for Davis. The team had a practice squad spot open after promoting tight end J.P. Holtz, but if Jordan Reed returns to full health soon, Holtz’s utility decreases. In that case, promoting Davis and relegating Holtz back to the practice squad would be a possibility. But even if Davis remains on the practice squad, he could move up eventually, as Washington’s receiving core has a notorious health record.