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Redskins release linebacker Tanner Vallejo, promote receiver Cam Sims from practice squad

By Jacob Camenker

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 17: Donnel Pumphrey #34 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against Tanner Vallejo #40 of the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Bills 20-16. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 17: Donnel Pumphrey #34 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against Tanner Vallejo #40 of the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Bills 20-16. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins are making a minor roster move on Saturday to add receiver depth to their receiving corps.

With Paul Richardson being declared out ahead of Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, the Redskins were a little thin at receiver. The team has elected to add depth at that position and will be releasing a special teams contributor to do so.

According to ESPN’s John Keim, the Redskins are releasing linebacker Tanner Vallejo from the 53-man roster to make room for practice squad receiver Cam Sims.

Vallejo was claimed off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals by the Redskins before the start of the season. While he is listed as a linebacker, he has played exclusively on special teams for the squad. Vallejo has played 67 percent of the team’s special teams snaps and Keim noted that Vallejo was one of the team’s “highest-rated special teams performer(s)”.

While releasing Vallejo will hurt the ‘Skins a bit in that aspect, they simply needed to add receiver. They only had four healthy bodies at the receiver position in Terry McLaurin, Kelvin Harmon, Trey Quinn, and Steven Sims Jr. So, adding Cam Sims was a necessary move and evidently, Vallejo was the odd man out.

If Vallejo is indeed one of the team’s top special teams performers, then it is a bit odd that they did part ways with him. They could’ve instead chosen to part with a guy like Simeon Thomas, a backup corner and special teams player, but perhaps they’re less confident in their corner depth and wanted to keep him around.

As for Sims, he’ll get a chance to see some playing time against a weak Jets secondary. And perhaps he’ll be able to show off the upside that he flashed at times during the past two preseasons. He’s still lower in the pecking order, but if the team wants to change things up, perhaps they’ll call a play or two for him.

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Overall, this move is a minor one for the Redskins and it’s possible that Vallejo’s release may just be temporary. We’ll keep an eye on him in the coming days to see if he’s scooped up by another team or if the ‘Skins will have a chance to bring him back.

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