Jay Gruden has ‘no idea’ when Jordan Reed will return

The Washington Redskins came out relatively clean in terms of injuries, following their 20-10 win Thursday over the New York Giants.

Now as the Redskins shift their attention toward the Dallas Cowboys, the question becomes when their players dealing with existing injuries can return. On the latter, Redskins coach Jay Gruden isn’t so sure.

Gruden said Friday that he has “no idea” when Jordan Reed will return. The athletic tight end has missed the last four games with a hamstring strain.

“The issue is, when he does come back, we’ve got to make sure that he’s 100 percent so this thing doesn’t linger,” Gruden said. “So I don’t know if he’ll be back this week, the next week or four weeks. We have no idea right now. I think that’s between he and the trainers. He’s got to get some work in and when he’s ready, we will definitely utilize him.”

If healthy, Reed would play a pivotal role for the Redskins in the final five games of the season. Reed’s athleticism and size would give quarterback Kirk Cousins another explosive receiver, and would be perhaps Washington’s top option. 

But the Redskins have been cautious with Reed, who has been injured often throughout his five-year career. During his latest hamstring injury, Reed already suffered a setback — trying to rush back a week after he suffered the injury against the Dallas Cowboys.

Last week, Reed said the only way for his hamstring to fully heal is to rest it and “we don’t have time for that right now.”

Reed, though, has missed the last four games and hasn’t practiced since his setback on Nov. 9. He has missed five games total this season and has just 211 yards receiving. 

If Reed is ready to go, Gruden said there would be no challenge in incorporating Reed back into the team’s gameplan. In the past, Gruden said it’s challenging to gameplan for opponents when he doesn’t know if players like Reed will be able to suit up.

“When he comes back, we’ll incorporate him back without problem. He’s a special athlete — a special tight end — with a great skill set, so that’s not the issue,” Gruden said.

Meanwhile, Gruden confirmed that tackle Trent Williams sat out of Thursday’s game because of the short turnaround from Sunday’s matchup in New Orleans. Williams, who has a bone bruise and a torn ligament in his knee, is considered a week-by-week case, and there’s a strong chance he’ll be able to suit up against Dallas on 10 days rest.

Besides Williams and Reed, safety Montae Nicholson is recovering from a concussion, defensive lineman Terrell McClain is nursing a toe injury and center Chase Roullier is recovering from a fractured hand. All three players missed the Giants’ game.

With Roullier, Gruden said Wednesday that his injury would be another “week-to-week” scenario, and whether the rookie center can play with a cast on his hand going forward.

“It’s very similar to Matt [Ioannidis] as far as how he can play with it bandaged or whatever,” Gruden said. “Obviously he can’t play with a club like Matt, but if he can play with his fingers free, then he could probably be maybe next week. We’ll see.”