Jordan Reed

Jordan Reed injury update: Redskins TE unlikely to play Sunday

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Redskins will almost certainly be without tight end Jordan Reed for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles due to a possible concussion.

Washington Redskins star tight end Jordan Reed was held out of practice again on Thursday and will likely not be able to play in Sunday’s NFC East showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Reed experienced concussion-like symptoms during Washington’s practice on Tuesday and was held out the following two days. As Philips notes, Reed will need to complete several steps in the concussion protocol in a short amount of time, making his availability for Sunday’s game doubtful.

The fourth-year tight end out of Florida broke out in a huge way last season with 87 catches for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns in 14 games. Washington rewarded Reed over the offseason with a five-year, $46.75 million contract extension that included $22 million guaranteed. In five games this year, Reed has 33 receptions for 316 yards and two scores.

Losing Reed for any amount of time would be a huge blow to the Washington offense. Kirk Cousins hasn’t been quite as effective as last season, and could struggle even more without one of the top red zone targets in the NFL.

Rather than rushing Reed back for Sunday’s game, Washington will be focusing on his long-term off-the-field health at this point. If his current issue is indeed a concussion, that will be the sixth head injury in five years for Reed, which has sadly limited a promising career.

The Redskins will have to find a way to move the ball downfield against a Philadelphia defense that has been strong in the early going. As Washington has already lost to the Dallas Cowboys at home, dropping another division contest at FedExField could be too much to overcome in the competitive NFC East title race.