Jordan Reed’s possible return on Sunday could solve third-down challenges

ASHBURN — Jordan Reed’s answer was simple, yet rooted in confidence and not to be mistaken for cockiness.

“I just get open, you know?” Reed said. “When they in man-to-man coverage, I feel like I can beat anybody.”

Before the Washington Redskins’ tight end sustained a concussion against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, he was just about beating anybody and the numbers prove it.

Reed was a big reason the Redskins converted 46.8 percent of third downs through the first four games, a rate that ranked fourth-best in the league. Reed has been targeted 12 times on third down and has nine catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Of those nine third-down catches, only one was not converted for a first down — a nine-yard gain on third-and-14.

Of all the areas Reed impacts the offense, third-down efficiency may be the greatest. In the last two games without him, the Redskins have converted just nine of 27 third downs, or 33.3 percent, in losses to the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets. Through six games, the Redskins’ third-down conversion rate has slipped to 42.7 percent, which ranks ninth.

Reed practiced on Wednesday for the first time since he was injured and said he definitely plans to play on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Because of the NFL’s concussion protocol, that decision is ultimately up to an independent neurologist.

Barring any setbacks, the Redskins expect Reed to return on Sunday — a welcoming addition to an offense that’s struggled the past two games.

“He’s a mismatch no matter how you cut it,” coach Jay Gruden said. “You can put a corner on him, that’s going to leave somebody else open. If you put a safety on him, he wins. If you play zone, he’s matched up, he’s great at finding holes in the zone and running option routes and choice routes. He’s an issue for a defense.”

Whether Reed lines up in the slot or on the offensive line in multiple-tight end sets, the result is often the same. He exploits a matchup against a linebacker who’s not quite fast enough to keep up.

The Redskins can also split Reed outside to create another favorable matchup against a cornerback.

Of Reed’s 24 catches overall, 18 have picked up a first down.

“When he’s not in there, it takes a little bit off your plate as far as your play call, your formations, your schemes,” Gruden said. “It takes a lot off, to be honest with you. When he’s not in the game like he wasn’t last week, we need to make sure other guys are figuring out ways to get open in zones and separating versus man. We didn’t do a very good job of quarterbacks recognizing zones and knowing where to go, receivers getting open, finding the holes, all that. It’s a combination of things, other guys have got to step up. We just hadn’t done that the last two weeks without him.”

Without Reed on the field, the Redskins have relied heavily on wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder and running back Chris Thompson in third-down situations. Against the Falcons and Jets, Thompson and Crowder were targeted a total of 12 times in 27 third-down attempts. Garcon was targeted five times.

The Redskins converted just five of 15 third downs against the Jets. What was particularly troubling, though, was their inability to convert favorable scenarios. Twice, they failed to convert on third-and-2. Two other times, they failed on third-and-5.

Washington mixed up its looks with Crowder against the Jets, using stack releases in an effort to cause confusion once the ball is snapped. Once, Crowder lined up behind Garcon and they both ran out routes. Cousins connected with Crowder for a 10-yard gain on third-and-6.

Three plays later, the Redskins went with the same alignment, but Crowder ran an in route. Cousins’ throw was behind Crowder and fell incomplete.

“It’s challenging [without Reed],” Crowder said. “But at the same time, you’ve just got to go out there and make plays when your number is called. I feel like I responded well. Third down is a big down, especially when it’s a third down that is very reasonable, a third down you can really convert. That’s a time you really need to strap it up and be ready to make a play.”

The Redskins were expected to rely on Garcon when Reed was injured. The surprise was Crowder and Thompson, who have emerged as viable options.
When Reed finally does return, he hopes to help the Redskins in an area they’ve been struggling. After watching Crowder and Thompson the last two weeks, Reed is enticed by the idea of not having to do it alone.

“Thompson is catching the ball real good out of the backfield and Jamison has been creating separation all year, so they’ve been doing great,” Reed said. “I think it’s going to create problems for them when you’ve got three guys like that who can create so much separation and get open.”