RICHMOND — With no end to Trent Williams’ holdout in sight, the Washington Redskins are planning on signing veteran left tackle Donald Penn, according to multiple reports.
The NFL Network reported Tuesday that Penn is flying to the District to sign a one-year deal with Washington. If all goes well, that means Penn should be in Richmond for Wednesday’s practice.
Penn, 36, is a three-time Pro Bowler who appeared in just four games for the Oakland Raiders last year. He dealt with a leg injury in 2018 and was released in the offseason. Penn worked out for the Redskins last week, though he left Richmond without a deal.
The Redskins — while still hoping to sign Penn — added tackle Corey Robinson for depth. Besides Williams, the Redskins had also been without second-year tackle Geron Christan, who is coming off a torn MCL. Christian, however, returned to team drills Tuesday.
Until Christian’s return, the Redskins had been using former first-rounder Ereck Flowers — a tackle who was signed to play guard — as their starting left tackle.
Penn has appeared in 178 career games, starting 174. He has spent seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and five with the Raiders. He last made the Pro Bowl in 2017.
Williams has yet to report to camp amid a contract dispute and displeasure with the team’s medical staff over the handling of a benign tumor on his scalp. Coach Jay Gruden said Tuesday there was no update on Williams’ status.
“I just have to let it play out,” Gruden said. “I think it’s up to Trent and our people here to try and get something done. So I just got to coach the guys that are here, and that’s what I’ll continue to do. Love the fact that these guys are making progress. We are playing some different people at tackle. We’ve got Christian back at tackle today, which is good. So we’ll just keep working, keep grinding on these guys until he gets back here.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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