Washington Football Team would be making big mistake cutting this preseason standout
By Jerry Trotta
The latest roster cut deadline came and went on Tuesday at 4 p.m. EST, and the Washington Football Team released six players to trim their roster to the required 80-player mark before the third preseason game.
It’s easily the worst part of the offseason, and to get the cutthroat process started, Washington released wideout Steven Sims Jr. to create room for OT David Sharpe, who was just activated off the COVID list.
The Football Team also cut cornerback Jordan Brown, linebacker Justin Phillips, DT Justus Read, OT Rick Leonard and center Jon Toth.
If fans thought that round of cuts was stressful, they might want to go off the grid until the start of the regular season, because 27 more players will get the axe to get to the required 53-man total by Aug. 31.
We have a good in terms of who’s battling for a roster spot, but Washington would be making a big mistake if they cut Torry McTyer.
Rivera is asked about players that stood out during two preseason games. Rips off several names: Troy Apke, Jaret Patterson, Torry McTyer, Isaiah Wright, Dax Milne.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 23, 2021
The Football Team better keep Torry McTyer on the roster.
Coming into OTAs and mandatory minicamp, McTyer was widely considered as a depth piece for the cornerback room who didn’t have much of a chance to survive camp. Since then, however, the former undrafted talent has drawn consistent praise from Washington’s beat reporters, and rightly so.
McTyer has even caught the attention from Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio, the latter of who praised his ability to be effective in the slot and on the perimeter. We all know how much NFL teams value versatility in their defensive backs, and McTyer’s ability to play on the inside and outside proves he’s earned a role.
The Football Team rested Kendal Fuller and William Jackson, their projected starters at CB, last Friday against the Bengals, and McTyer held his own alongside rookie Benjamin St-Juste and third-year pro Jimmy Moreland.
It goes without saying Fuller, Jackson, St-Juste and even Moreland, who played 57% of the defensive snaps last season, are locks to make the roster. McTyer should absolutely be in contention for one of the final two spots…or the last spot if Washington only keeps five CBs on the 53-man roster.
Torry McTyer jumps all over that quick pass and stops it for a short gain
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 21, 2021
McTyer’s NFL journey hasn’t been easy. He latched on with Miami as a UDFA back in 2017 and appeared in 15 games (four starts) as a sophomore in 2018. However, he was waived before the 2019 season and ultimately landed in Cincinnati after spending a few weeks on the Chiefs’ practice squad.
After appearing in five games for the Bengals that year, he bounced back and forth between the active roster and practice squad in 2020.
Washington was clearly monitoring McTyer’s situation, because they signed him a day after his practice squad contract expired. Now, the 26-year-old has an opportunity to be a key piece on a playoff-caliber roster.
We hope the Football Team gives him that chance, because he’s earned it.
