Redskins safety Su’a Cravens applied for reinstatement to the NFL after spending the 2017 season on the reserve/left squad list, a source confirmed.
Cravens missed the entire season after leaving the Redskins a week before the regular season started. At the time, Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Cravens was dealing with some personal issues while mulling retirement.
In December, Cravens’ agent released a statement saying the 22-year-old was cleared for football activity after dealing with post-concussion syndrome.
During his rookie year, Cravens, the Redskins’ second-round pick in 2016, missed two games because of a concussion. He missed five games total, sitting out the last three with an elbow injury.
But the 2017 season was a whole different ordeal for Cravens. After reports Cravens intended to rejoin the team, the Redskins placed the safety on the season-ending reserve/left squad list on Sept. 18. Washington pulled the trigger early, placing Cravens with the designation a full two weeks before they had to make an official decision.
The Redskins went on without Cravens, and his long-term future in Washington will need to be determined this offseason. Cravens is still under contract for another two years.
Washington could look to trade or release Cravens if they decide to move on.
The NFL Network first reported the news.
The Redskins expected Cravens to be their starting safety opposite of D.J. Swearinger in 2017. Without him, the Redskins rotated between a mix of rookie Montae Nicholson, Deshazor Everett and DeAngelo Hall.
Nicholson showed promise, but dealt with concussion issues of his own — being placed on injured reserve on Dec. 19.
Cravens had a promising rookie season, appearing in 11 games. He recorded 34 tackles, an interception and a sack. He switched from linebacker to safety in the offseason.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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