Report: Redskins expected to sign TE Donald Parham to practice squad

Donald Parham, a 6-foot-8 tight end who spent the preseason with the Washington Redskins, may be returning to the team via the practice squad.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Redskins suffered a minor hit to their depth when they lost J.P. Holtz off waivers to the Chicago Bears. Holtz had opened the season as the team’s de facto fourth tight end. He was stashed on the practice squad, called up when Jordan Reed was confirmed out for Week 1 to serve as the third tight end, and waived in hopes of landing back on the practice squad.

Instead, the Bears scooped him up. And that left the Redskins a bit shorthanded at the tight end position.

But now, it appears that they are going to be adding a familiar face to take the practice squad spot that would’ve been held by Holtz. Per Ben Standig of The Athletic, the Redskins are expected to sign Donald Parham to the open practice squad spot that the team has. The 6-foot-8 Parham spent time with the Redskins during the preseason and had some flashes in camp.

This was an expected move. The team simply couldn’t continue on with three tight ends on their active roster and practice squad given the uncertainty surrounding Reed and the injuries that he has dealt with over the course of his career.

Parham was a player that some thought could land on the practice squad if he performed well in the preseason. However, he was invisible for most of the campaign despite his elite size, and it’s clear that the former Division II player needs more time to develop at the NFL level. Doing so on the practice squad will be ideal, and if he can progress, the ‘Skins may unearth a gem.

Either way, Parham will provide the Redskins with some depth at tight end. And he knows the Washington system. Hopefully, he won’t need to be called up to the active roster any time soon, but at least the team has an option that knows the system with Holtz now gone.