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Washington Football Team: Final roster projection before cut day

By Jacob Camenker

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 08: Cam Sims #89 of the Washington Football Team looks on after the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 08, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 08: Cam Sims #89 of the Washington Football Team looks on after the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 08, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 15: Cole Holcomb #55 of the Washington Football Team takes the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on September 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 15: Cole Holcomb #55 of the Washington Football Team takes the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on September 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Linebacker (6)

Jon Bostic, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Cole Holcomb, Thomas Davis, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Khaleke Hudson

The most conspicuous absence from this list is Reuben Foster. The talented veteran was activated from the PUP list about a month ago and at that time, many had hope that he would make the 53-man roster as a result. However, it doesn’t seem likely that will happen.

As Foster has attempted to return from the injury, he hasn’t been able to show much athletic ability and explosiveness on the field. That’s not a big surprise given that he tore multiple knee ligaments and suffered nerve damage when he was hurt, but he has been working with the third team at practice while wearing a big brace on his injured knee.

That doesn’t sound great. Perhaps Foster can rapidly improve and get back up to game speed but for the time being, it doesn’t sound like he’s going to play a role on the 53-man roster out of the gate. Washington may opt to place him on IR to ensure that they can keep him around, but they also could opt to cut him if they like their linebacker depth.

Related Story. Why Reuben Foster is the ultimate roster wild card. light

At this point, it just doesn’t seem likely that he will make the team, unless it’s a procedural move to put him on IR and designate him for return.

Also hurting Foster is Washington’s nice-looking collection of linebackers. It looks like Bostic, Holcomb, and Pierre-Louis, a favorite of the coaching staff, will be the top three linebackers and starters for the team.

Davis is there to provide veteran depth and a locker room presence. Hamilton is his foil as a young depth that is still developing. And Hudson should be a special teams ace that can be used in some packages as a SAM linebacker and blitzer.

That’s some solid depth, and it doesn’t even include Ryan Anderson who could play a bit at the SAM spot too. Washington may not have a proven three-down starter outside of the 37-year-old Davis, but they have a good set of rotational players and if their young players live up to their potential, this unit could be a strong one.

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