Reed expects to make preseason debut Saturday vs. Ravens
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) Washington tight end Jordan Reed, who missed the team's first two preseason games with a strained hamstring, said Tuesday that he expects to play against the Baltimore Ravens.
Redskins coach Jay Gruden said he's hopeful that Reed returns to the lineup for Saturday's game.
In addition, Gruden said that quarterback Robert Griffin III practiced again - in non-contact situations - and did everything without incident. Griffin suffered a concussion in last Thursday's game against the Lions and will go to a neurologist Thursday.
''If he gets clearance there, then he will be ready to go,'' Gruden said.
Reed is now at the top of the team's depth chart after season-ending injuries to Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen. The tight end hurt the hamstring on Aug. 10, and the injury sidelined him for the first two preseason games.
Gruden said Reed, the 6-foot-2, 237-pound tight end, has made progress. Reed had 95 catches for 964 yards and three touchdowns in his first two seasons and looks forward to playing again.
''I'm really excited to be playing in a game,'' Reed said after Tuesday's practice. ''I feel I can get open (versus the Ravens) and create some mismatches and exploit their defense. I feel 100 percent. I took my time getting back so that I'd be good for the season.''
Linebacker Junior Galette also will make his preseason debut Saturday. A left pectoral injury sidelined the former Saint for the first two games, but Galette said he expects to play against the Ravens.
Galette is anxious to show the Redskins what he can bring on the field.
''Just to get actually back on the field, it's exciting,'' Galette said. ''(I) just want to prove to those guys that I belong and ... just kind of earning my stripes. It's been a real humbling experience and, like I said, they just embraced me from (the start).''
Wide receiver DeSean Jackson (right shoulder) also was on the field Tuesday but did just individual work. Gruden said Jackson, also out for the first two games, has full range of motion but the team is waiting until he's 100 percent before exposing him to contact.
Wide receiver Jamison Crowder (left hamstring strain) also hopes to play for the first time. Crowder practiced on Sunday for the first time since Aug. 7 and said Tuesday that felt much better.
Gruden added that safety Akeem Davis (right hamstring strain) and defensive end Frank Kearse (left shoulder injury) both will be out for the Baltimore game. The Redskins are dealing with a number of injuries, and Gruden said the team will make decisions as the week goes along.
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