Redskins coach Jay Gruden said the team waived free safety Bacarri Rambo on Tuesday because it had two other players at the position who were better options on special teams.
Rambo, in his second year after being drafted in the sixth round out of Georgia, started the first two games of the season in place of the suspended Brandon Meriweather. With Meriweather reinstated on Tuesday, Rambo was given his release instead of Duke Ihenacho, Trenton Robinson or Akeem Davis.
“I think Trenton Robinson has done such a great job on special teams — same with Akeem Davis — that they were going to stick,” Gruden said. “You know, we got Duke just now and we had to release a safety, and that’s what we chose.”
Rambo was partially responsible for missing a tackle on what ended up being a 76-yard touchdown reception in the season opener against Houston. He also played a role in a 63-yard touchdown pass by Jacksonville quarterback Chad Henne in the Redskins’ home opener on Sunday and was replaced Rambo in the second half.
Davis, undrafted out of Memphis a year ago, was originally included on the Redskins’ initial 53-man roster before being waived to make room for Ihenacho. Signed to the practice squad, Davis then took the roster spot of nose tackle Barry Cofield when he was placed on injured reserve with the designated to return label.
An all-America selection as a junior, Rambo repeatedly struggled with taking the reading his keys, taking his proper angles and making open-field tackles. With Meriweather suspended for repeated helmet-to-helmet hits, he stepped in at strong safety, with the coaches hoping that his mistakes would be covered up by his play in the box.
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.