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?