How concerning is Curtis Samuel’s limited workload at training camp?

There’s no single player on the Washington Commanders‘ roster who needs a bounce-back season more than Curtis Samuel.

Signed to a three-year, $34.5 million contract last offseason, a mysterious groin injury suffered during the offseason program wound up derailing his 2021 before a hamstring issue prevented him from helping the team later in the year.

When all was said and done, Samuel totaled just six catches for 27 yards in five games; a far cry from his 2020 output with the Panthers when he racked up over 1,000 scrimmage yards (851 receiving) and five total touchdowns.

When healthy, Samuel is one of the most dynamic receivers in the NFL. The key, of course, is keeping him healthy, so Ron Rivera has erred on the side of caution with his former second-round pick. Samuel only participated in half the practices during OTAs and minicamp, and his workload at training camp is being monitored.

It’s easy to see why Rivera and the Commanders are’t pushing Samuel, but when exactly will they feel confident enough to do so?

How concerned should Commanders fans be with Curtis Samuel’s limited workload at training camp?

"“We’re trying to prevent it from becoming a lingering thing,” Rivera told reporters Friday. “We’re trying to do is be smart, OK. And when the trainer comes to me and says, ‘Hey, he is looking good, he’s had a couple really good days. Let’s just get him through this and then move on.’ Yeah. OK. I’m fine with that.”"

There’s no denying that Samuel looks good. On Thursday, he made cornerback Benjamin St-Juste look silly — few can say that this offseason — with a filthy juke move. That play encapsulated everything that made Commanders fans so excited when the team signed Samuel in free agency last offseason.

But when is Rivera going to take the kids gloves off? Is the head coach taking a ramped up approach with the 25-year-old? How long will it take for him to be a full participant in practice? How many snaps will he get during the preseason? At that point, the regular season will be just a few weeks away.

These are all pertinent questions, and fans deserve answers. Per reports from camp, Samuel still hasn’t participated in 11-v-11 or 9-v-9 drills. Can you think of a better drill for him to establish chemistry with Carson Wentz? While Samuel is load-managed, Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Dyami Brown, Cam Sims and the rest of the receiver room are all getting valuable reps with the team’s new quarterback.

If memory serves me right, Samuel had core muscle surgery over a year ago and is on the record saying he felt great after the season ended, which was seven months ago! On Monday, Samuel was relegated to the side field after an off day Sunday and being a limited participant Friday and Saturday. Something doesn’t add up.

Rivera addressed the media following Monday’s practice and expressed concern about Samuel’s “overall football conditioning and shape.” Amid the wideout’s push to get back into the swing of things, he’s run into tightness and soreness in his hamstrings and lower back, which would explain his limited role at camp.

Maybe we’re overreacting, but can you really blame us after the mysterious vibe surrounding Samuel’s status last offseason? The important thing is he’s practicing, but the fact Rivera and Co. are still afraid to let him loose on consecutive days is definitely a cause for concern.

Let’s see where we’re at a few weeks from now.