Washington tight end group a concern

Washington has some concerns at tight end heading into Sunday’s game against the Panthers.

Perhaps it was a busy week for you and you haven’t noticed the WFT is dangerously thin at tight end.

Ricky Seals-Jones who has 23 receptions this season was Taylor Heinicke’s target on a second-quarter third down and 14 from the Tampa 20-yard line to the 11 for a 9-yard gain. However, as soon as Seals-Jones was tackled he grabbed at his right hip with his right hand, and he did not practice all week.

There was optimism expressed last week that former Virginia Tech Hokie Logan Thomas would be back for the Tampa game, but it did not materialize. The same optimism was expressed this week, but it looks like again, no Thomas for this week.

Rookie John Bates is scheduled to make his second start of the season against Carolina. Bates started Washington’s Week 6 loss to the Chiefs in a two tight-end set alongside Ricky Seals-Jones but played just 13 snaps.

Bates saw his most action against Tampa, and in receiving three targets, made three catches. Of note, in the third quarter when Tampa reduced the Washington lead to 16-13, facing a third down and four from the 50, Bates appeared to be Heinicke’s only target, making the big catch for 18 yards to the Tampa 32. Thus, Heinicke exhibited there is confidence in Bates when a big catch is needed.

Word has it that for two months each weekend TE coach Pete Hoener went to the WFT facility and worked with TE rookie Sammis Reyes.  Reyes had seen action on special teams in four previous games, before receiving his first four offensive snaps against Tampa. Reyes has been battling an injured hip as well, as battling trying to learn the game. You recall Reyes did not play football in college.

Lastly, Washington Saturday elevated TE Temarrick Hemingway from the practice squad. The roster move provides three at tight end to face the tough Carolina defense.

But there is another concern.

Hemingway was just signed to the practice squad early this week, and then he did not practice Friday and was said to be out with an excused absence.

Did I mention that Washington is precariously thin at tight end?

Washington releases tight end Temarrick Hemingway

Washington has five tight ends on the roster for the preseason finale.

In a surprise move, the Washington Football Team released tight end Temarrick Hemingway on Thursday.

It’s not necessarily a surprise Washington released Hemingway, but more of when he was released. Washington just cut five players to get to the league-mandated 80 players on Tuesday.

After releasing Hemingway, Washington re-signed center Jon Toth, who was released on Tuesday.

Hemingway was entering his sixth NFL season in 2021 and spent the 2019 season with head coach Ron Rivera and the Carolina Panthers. He spent time going back and forth between Washington’s practice squad and active roster in 2020, appearing in eight games, catching one pass for 10 yards.

Hemingway began the preseason in a good position to make the WFT roster. However, he struggled badly against New England and then suffered a concussion missing some time. Other players moved past him on the depth chart.

Washington now has five tight ends on the roster for the final preseason game: Logan Thomas, John Bates, Sammis Reyes, Caleb Wilson and Ricky Seals-Jones.

Washington hosts Baltimore on Saturday evening at FedEx Field.

Every NFL team must trim their roster to 53 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m. EDT.

5 takeaways from day 16 of Washington training camp

Here are some takeaways from day 16 of Washington training camp.

The Washington Football Team was back on the field for day 16 of training camp on Wednesday, and so was the heat.

Washington had received a bit of a reprieve with the weather recently, especially on Monday when the team practiced in the rain.

When Washington began practice Wednesday, the local media was a bit surprised to see rookie tight end Sammis Reyes on the exercise bike. As it turns out, Reyes was now in concussion protocol.

What else happened on the practice fields in Ashburn?

Here are five takeaways from day 16 of Washington training camp.

Washington signs speedy WR Jeff Badet, TE Temarrick Hemingway to practice squad

Washington made a couple of additions to the practice squad, highlighted by WR Jeff Badet, who is famous for running 4.27 40-yard-dash.

Washington is signing two new offensive weapons to the practice squad in wide receiver Jeff Badet, and TE Temarrick Hemingway. Both players are young offensive talents that could potentially have a chance to play down the line.

Badet is a speedy receiver who was the fourth overall pick in the 2020 XFL Draft, and his 4.27 40-yard-dash time is among the top in the NFL. After a solid college career at the University of Oklahoma, Badet went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, but signed with the Minnesota Vikings where he has played in a number of preseason games, but he is yet to find the field in the regular season.

Hemingway knows his way around an NFL locker room, as he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round in 2016. He played eight games in LA, and then moved to Denver in 2018 where he played mostly special teams. He will now have the chance to fight his way onto the active roster under Pete Hoener in Washington.

[vertical-gallery id=41179]

Panthers injury updates: Shaq Thompson, Troy Pride Jr., Temarrick Hemingway

linebacker Shaq Thompson did not participate today after leaving Monday’s practice early.

Unless the plan is to get the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL draft, the last thing the Carolina Panthers can afford this season are injuries at cornerback.

Bad news: today at training camp, rookie corner Troy Pride Jr. limped off  during gunner drills to get attention from the trainers.

There’s no word yet on what happened and Pride did return to drills soon after. We will update if head coach Matt Rhule shares any information about him after practice.

In related news, linebacker Shaq Thompson did not participate today after leaving Monday’s practice early. Fortunately, this doesn’t sound like it’s serious.

On a positive note, tight end Temarrick Hemingway returned to practice after missing a few days in the concussion protocol. He has at least been cleared for non-contact drills.

Linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk also returned to action after missing a couple days with an ankle issue.

Meanwhile, rookie wide receiver Omar Bayless is still out, dealing with swelling in his knee.

Rookie defensive tackle Bravvion Roy also did not participate.

[lawrence-related id=627804]

[vertical-gallery id=626849]

Panthers‌ ‌injury‌ ‌updates:‌ ‌WR‌ ‌Omar‌ ‌Bayless,‌ ‌LB‌ ‌Jordan‌ ‌Kunaszyk‌ ‌

After practice, coach Matt Rhule gave the media some injury news on each of them.

The Panthers had three players who did not participate in today’s practice – rookie wide receiver Omar Bayless sat out, as did linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk and tight end Temarrick Hemingway.

They were all wearing red jerseys – which now denote injuries – while quarterbacks wear green.

After practice, coach Matt Rhule gave the media some injury news on each of them. Apparently Bayless’ knee got swollen overnight, which was why he was held out. As for Kunaszyk, he is dealing with an ankle issue.

Bayless had been performing well, drawing praise from Rhule as well as a lot of his older, more experienced teammates. Despite the setback, his chances of making the 2020 roster should be as good as any of the rookies on offense. Bayless’ size (6-foot-3) and wingspan (76.880 inches) make him a red zone weapon that the Panthers can’t easily replicate.

Kunaszyk looked sharp during the preseason last year, which helped secure his place on the roster. This year, it’s a tougher sell with no exhibition games plus several new young linebackers competing for a spot. Kunaszyk is likely on the bubble, but right now we believe he will make it.

As for Hemingway, he is still in the concussion protocol. He is probably in danger of being cut and every day he misses will hurt his chances more.

In related news, wide receiver Keith Kirkwood will be out several weeks with a broken clavicle and left tackle Russell Okung has some back tightness but isn’t expected to miss any time.

[lawrence-related id=627707]

[vertical-gallery id=627511]

Panthers coach Matt Rhule shares updates on 3 injured players

Rhule told reporters that Kirkwood will be out several weeks with a shoulder injury and Hemingway is a day-to-day with a head injury.

Two Carolina Panthers players sat out today’s practice that was open to the media: wide receiver Keith Kirkwood and tight end Temarrick Hemingway. After it was over, head coach Matt Rhule offered some updates on what’s going on with them.

Rhule told reporters that Kirkwood will be out several weeks with a shoulder injury and Hemingway is a day-to-day with a head injury.

This means Kirkwood could miss the season opener against the Raiders, which helps explain why the team brought in former Saints receiver/returner Tommylee Lewis.

As for Hemingway, this won’t help his chances of making the 53-man roster. The team also signed former Chargers tight end Andrew Vollert. Hemingway might need to beat out both Vollert and Colin Thompson for a roster spot.

In related news, Russell Okung left today’s practice early with a trainer. According to Rhule, he’s experiencing lower back tightness and leaving the field to work in the pool is part of his routine.

Good to know.

The Panthers will need a healthy Okung starting at left tackle, or else their trade of Trai Turner will be a total bust.

[lawrence-related id=627599]

[vertical-gallery id=627511]

Panthers injury updates: Russell Okung leaves practice early, 2 other players DNP

There are a few injury notes to pass along from the beat reporters on the scene.

The first practice that the Carolina Panthers opened up to the media has concluded. There are a few injury notes to pass along from the beat reporters on the scene.

OT Russell Okung

The most ominous development of the day was veteran left tackle Russell Okung leaving the field early with a trainer. It’s unclear why at this time according to Joe Person at the Athletic. However, Okung had serious health issues last season with the Chargers. He missed 10 games due to a pulmonary embolism.

ESPN recently reported that Okung considered opting out of the 2020 season at the deadline but decided against it. While his agent says he’s committed to the Panthers, he admitted Okung will consider retiring if he feels the NFL cannot contain the virus once the season begins.

Okung’s health is the No. 1 reason we didn’t like the Trai Turner trade and is one of several important storylines we’ll be following at camp this year.

WR Keith Kirkwood

Kirkwood was one of two players who did not participate in today’s practice. He is another former Saints wide receiver who offers familiarity with Joe Brady’s concepts. The team also just signed former New Orleans WR/KR Tommylee Lewis.

TE Temarrick Hemingway

The other DNP was backup tight end Temarrick Hemingway, who we feel might be in danger of being cut.

As of yet, there has been no reporting or any official word from the team as to why either player sat out today’s practice or what happened with Okung.

[lawrence-related id=627505]

[vertical-gallery id=627511]

Panthers 2020 training camp: Projecting 4 potential roster cuts on offense

Here are four players on offense who may be cut next.

The Carolina Panthers will allow the media in to watch practice today for the first time in 2020. As we move into the next phase of this training camp schedule, we should probably expect another round of roster cuts soon.

Here are four players on offense who may be cut next.

WR/KR DeAndrew White

DeAndrew White
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

What White did against the Steelers in August last year (four catches, 94 yards) is proof of how valuable the preseason can be for young players. This year, White won’t have that opportunity to put something good on tape. Saturday’s report that the team tried out former Saints receiver/returner Tommylee Lewis is also bad news for White, who is already near the bottom of a crowded depth chart at wide receiver and has a similar skill-set. Lewis also has the benefit of familiarity with Joe Brady from their time together in New Orleans. If Lewis signs, White could be waived in a corresponding move.

Update: Lewis has been signed and White has indeed been cut. The Panthers also added former Eagles wideout Marken Michel.