When DeSean Jackson begins taking part in the Washington Redskins’ offseason workout program isn’t as much of a concern to president Bruce Allen as it is to have him healthy.
Jackson, who was not present last week as the team began three days of on-field workouts, is expected to arrive at some point this week, Allen said Monday, echoing what coach Jay Gruden said when the practices began. The wide receiver was the only player absent for all three days of the voluntary workouts, which resume Tuesday.
“DeSean Jackson will be in shape and will be ready to go,” Allen said. “That’s not a concern.”
Jackson was sitting courtside for Game 6 of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference Finals series against the Atlanta Hawks last Tuesday, when the workouts began, and was also reportedly attending an album launch party in his native Los Angeles last week.
He did not attend the Redskins Charity Golf Tournament at Army Navy Country Club in Arlington on Monday, which the organization counted as one of the team’s days of organized team activities, but had posted messages on his social media accounts on Sunday morning alluding to a pending return to Washington.
“The priority is to try to have all 90 [players] healthy and make sure we’re getting ready [for the season],” Allen said. “DeSean knows what our playbook is. He’s going to be in town later this week, and I’m sure he’ll catch up quick.”
Jackson had 56 catches for 1,169 yards and six touchdowns last season, his first with the Redskins after six with the Eagles. He signed what is essentially a three-year, $24 million contract last offseason.
Allen also addressed the Redskins’ decision to pick up Robert Griffin III’s fifth-year contract option early last month — a decision that will see the quarterback being paid approximately $16.5 million in 2016. Though Griffin helped Washington win the NFC East title and qualify for the playoffs in 2012, when he won rookie of the year honors, he has been benched at the end of the regular season each of the last two years.
That contract option is guaranteed only for injury, meaning that if the Redskins choose to release Griffin, a former No. 2 overall pick, following the season, they can do so with no obligation. Should Griffin, whose injury history includes two torn ligaments stemming from that playoff appearance and a dislocated left ankle last season, be unable to pass his exit physical at the end of the year, Washington will be obligated to pay him and that one-year salary will count against the salary cap.
“We think Robert is a starting quarterback,” Allen said. “We’ve seen him win. We’ve seen him win big games. We know his talent. It really was a no-brainer. I think if you asked us six months before, it would have been the same decision.”
“There’s a cost to everyone who gets hurt, you know?” Allen later said. “I don’t see that as an individual player thing as much as any injury is going to cost you on the salary cap. As I said earlier, the goal is to have all 90 healthy.”
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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