Tag: S Jeremy Reaves (2018- current)

Commanders re-sign Jeremy Reaves to 2-year deal

Jeremy Reaves is the first Commander that Adam Peters has re-signed this offseason.

The first two days of the 2024 NFL free agency cycle saw no current Commanders re-sign with Washington. But news broke Wednesday that safety Jeremy Reaves is the first of the Commanders’ current free agents to return.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, it’s a two-year deal for Reaves, who’s coming off of a torn ACL in Week 5 last season.

Reaves wasn’t drafted, and he has been released numerous times. But he keeps battling and will again be part of the Commanders in 2024.

Reaves was excited to be the first of the current Commanders to return, and gladly broke the news (twice) on Twitter, Wednesday afternoon.

In 2022, Reaves was a Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro selection on special teams. However, nothing has come easy for Reaves in the NFL. He is an illustration of hard work and perseverance.

Having played his college ball at South Alabama, Reaves went undrafted in 2018, and was signed by the Eagles in May. He was released by the Eagles in September.

Washington signed Reaves 10 days later, placing him on the practice squad but released him six days later. In October, they again brought him back to the practice squad and again released him in December.

The 2019 season saw Washington release Reaves during cutdowns in August, bring him back to the practice squad, and then activate Reaves to the active roster, where he went on to play nine games.

Reaves was released twice in 2020 before finally breaking through, seeing action on 262 defensive snaps and 147 special teams snaps.

Injuries limited Reaves to five games in 2021 before he excelled on special teams in the 2022 season, playing in all 17 games and being named All-Pro Special Teams performer by The Associated Press, Pro Football Focus, NFL Players Association, and Pro Football Writers Association.

Commanders defensive depth suddenly questioned

Suddenly, Washington’s safety depth will be tested, and some young players have an opportunity.

It was July 27, 2023, and Commanders Training Camp was launching a new era.

The defense had finished the 2022 season ranking first in the NFL in third-down defense, allowing the smallest percentage of third-down conversions in the league.

Fast forward two months and one week. On Monday (10/09/23), head coach Ron Rivera announced two key players were headed to the injured reserve list. Safety Darrick Forrest injured a shoulder in the last game against the Bears during the third quarter.

In addition, Safety Jeremy Reaves injured his knee against the Bears. During a punt, Reaves went down and could be seen during the live coverage of the play, immediately reach for and clutching his knee in pain.

Even further, during his press conference today, when Rivera announced the two significant players going to the IR list, he only stated they were awaiting further word, determining the severity of the two injuries.

What sort of depth do the Commanders possess, losing Reaves and Forrest? Safety Percy Butler appears to be the next man up. Butler (6-0, 190) was Washington’s fourth-round choice (113 overall) in the 2022 NFL draft.

Butler certainly possesses the physical skills. He’s faster than Forrest, but is he ready to recognize his assignments in coverage from play to play, reacting at game speed?

Reaves was a punt coverage demon in 2022, earning his Pro Bowl spot. Who will step up and be that first guy down on the punt coverage team making so many plays in Reaves absence?

The first name that comes to mind is cornerback Christian Holmes. Holmes (6-1, 205) played his college ball at Oklahoma State. In the 2022 draft, Washington selected Holmes in the 7th (final) round with the 240th overall selection. Holmes has already been playing on the punt coverage team, so who will be the new person to play on punt coverage?

Terrell Burgess (safety), who was with the Commanders in training camp and the preseason looks to be a candidate to be elevated to the active roster.  He was drafted by the Rams in the 2020 draft, in the third round (104 overall).

After playing his college ball at Utah, Burgess saw action in seven games in 2020 and 16 in 2021, both with the Rams. In 2022 he participated in seven games with the Rams and one with the Giants.

As for Reaves, the fan favorite took to social media to thank the fans for their love and well wishes.

Commanders season opener in 39 days: Washington’s best No. 39

39 Jeremy Reaves days until the Commanders open the 2023 NFL season.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 39 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 39?

Honestly, there has not been a great Washington player who wore No. 39 for the Burgundy and Gold.

There are, however, two who made significant contributions I’d like to recognize.

Otis Wonsley (1981-85) had been drafted by the NY Giants 229th overall in 1980. Not making the Giants, he came to Washington in 1981 and quickly made his impression on special teams and thus made the roster. Wonsley, a fullback in his five years, only totaled 61 carries for 181 yards. A highlight of Wonsley’s career was in 1984 when Joe Gibbs determined to use Wonsley in some short-yardage situations. The result was four rushing touchdowns. The other highlight for Wonsley that was significant occurred in Super Bowl XVII. Washington had the ball 4th & 1 at the Miami 43-yard line in the final quarter, trailing 17-13. We remember John Riggins ran the ball. What we’ve forgotten was every man on the left side made his block allowing Riggins to be man-on-man with Don McNeal. Those on the left side were TE Clint Didier, LT Joe Jacoby, LG Russ Grimm, and FB Otis Wonsley leading Riggins through the left side. Notice on the play Wonsley explodes forward, knocking linebacker Earnest Rhone off of his feet, freeing Riggins into the secondary. The most significant offensive play in Washington history and No. 39 reserve fullback Otis Wonsley played a “major role!”

Jeremy Reaves (2018- current) knows about living from day to day in the NFL. He was undrafted, signed by the Eagles, waived, signed by Washington, and waived. In fact, Reaves has been signed to or reverted back to the practice squad eight times in his career. But the safety from South Alabama continued to persevere. From 2018 through 2021, Reaves played in 2, 9, 9 and 5 regular season games. Then in 2022, Reaves remained on the active roster throughout the season for the first time in his career. Excelling on special teams throughout the season, Reaves was chosen to the Pro Bowl as the NFC special teams representative. He was also named a first-team All-Pro — a rarity for Washington under the previous ownership.