The Washington Redskins will be without their playmaking tight end, Jordan Reed, for Sunday’s road battle against the Arizona Cardinals.
Speaking on Friday about the status of his tight end, head coach Jay Gruden ruled Reed out but said he could potentially return in Week 14.
#Redskins coach Jay Gruden says TE Jordan Reed (shoulder) is out vs. #AZCardinals. Could return next week, though.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 2, 2016
Reed separated his shoulder during the team’s Thanksgiving Day loss against the Dallas Cowboys. He toughed it out after the injury in that game, finishing with 10 catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns. The next day, however, an MRI revealed he had suffered a Grade 3 shoulder separation (ouch!).
Both Washington and Arizona are desperate to win.
The Redskins are currently the No. 6 seed in the NFC Playoff race with a record of 6-4-1. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are fighting for their playoff lives at 4-6-1.
Needless to say, heading into the upcoming game without one of their top playmakers is not an ideal scenario for the Redskins. Vernon Davis will need to play like the Vernon of old to make up for the reliable Reed, but that’s something he’s done this year at times. To this point, Davis has reeled in 31 catches for 450 yards and two touchdowns.