ASHBURN — Cam Sims’ 3-year-old daughter helped the Redskins wide receiver in ways she was too young to comprehend. After his season was cut short one game into his rookie year, Sims kept his daughter often by his side — focusing on her instead of his ankle injury.
He needed it.
“She ain’t know she was helping me, but I’m not going to let her see me cry and go through stuff,” Sims said. “So, I’m just going to try and be strong for her. She helped me with it.”
Now heading into his second year, Sims is back with the Redskins, trying to make another strong impression. A year ago, the Alabama product made the team’s 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent, shining in training camp and the preseason.
On Tuesday, Sims’ connection with quarterbacks Case Keenum and Dwayne Haskins was evident. He hauled in a 60-yard bomb from Keenum, celebrating the catch by sprinting to the goal past and dunking the ball.
That type of play was largely missing from the Redskins’ offense last year.
“You know, the injury happens and he’s kind of a forgotten guy for a year,” offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell said. “We draft some young guys. We have some veterans coming back, but Cam’s in a great spot right now. I think he’s motivated to make sure that he’s in the mix every single day and when his number’s called. … It’s good to see him showing up and finishing plays, for sure.”
O’Connell said at Alabama, Sims was overlooked. Despite his size — a towering 6-foot-5 — Sims caught only 41 passes in four years under Nick Saban. Others, like Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley, drew more attention. Sims said he didn’t take it personally, telling reporters last August that Saban didn’t make a mistake. His two championship rings were evidence of that, he said.
Still, Sims proved to be a pleasant surprise for the Redskins last year. O’Connell called him a playmaker from “day one” at training camp. The 23-year-old effectively used his size and athletic ability to make plays.
But then the injury happened.
In Week 1, Sims suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Arizona Cardinals. The injury required surgery and the team put him on injured reserve.
“I was very sick to my stomach,” Sims said. “I was crying for a couple of days, but I had to overcome that.”
Sims did, crediting his daughter for helping him.
Moving forward, Sims has hardly guaranteed himself a roster spot. Washington drafted two receivers in Terry McLaurin and Kelvin Harmon. Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson and Trey Quinn also project to be the starters. That’s five receivers, and Washington typically carries five-to-six on the roster.
Sims, though, has already proved himself once.
“I’m very confident,” he said.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.