Trent Williams plans Redskins return ‘sooner rather than later:’ report

Trent Williams, the Washington Redskins’ disgruntled left tackle who has been holding out or months, isn’t listed on the team’s first depth chart that was released Tuesday, and almost certainly won’t be in the lineup for Sunday’s season opener in Philadelphia.

But, for the first time since his holdout began, there is optimism the All-Pro will play for the Redskins again — maybe as soon as Week 2’s home opener with the Dallas Cowboys.

On “Hail to the Podcast,” a Redskins podcast from The Athletic, former Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall said he thinks the seven-time Pro Bowler will return “sooner rather than later” because he doesn’t want his contract to roll over to next year. To avoid that, Williams has until Week 10 to accrue a season.

Some great insight here. From what I hear, “sooner rather than later” could even mean next week. A long nightmare of a summer for the #Redskins and their star LT could be coming to a close. https://t.co/lexjGkr8Ck

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 3, 2019

Hall said there is still “zero chance” Williams reports for Washington’s Week 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but left open the door for a return after that. 

“Trent’s very smart,” Hall said. “He understands the business of things. He would not, he would not let a year go by without getting that season credited it for itself.”

Because he has yet to report, Williams was not featured on the depth chart the Redskins released Tuesday. While that was to be expected, it was somewhat of a surprise when running back Derrius Guice was listed as a starter over running back Adrian Peterson. The chart reflects comments from Jay Gruden said Monday, with the coach telling reporters the offense will “go through” Guice in terms of carries. 

If Peterson is taking a lesser role this season, it will be interesting to see how that affects the running back’s attitude in the locker room. The 34-year-old, coming off a season in which he ran for 1,042 yards, has said all the right things about splitting carries with Guice, who is recovered from a torn ACL. 

But until Monday, Gruden had indicated the two would likely be in a rotation — rather than Guice seeing the majority of work. 

“We drafted (Guice) for a reason,” Gruden said. “We feel like he can be a first-, second- and even a third-down back, if needed. I think the offense, carries-wise, will probably go through him, pretty much.”

Peterson had problems accepting a reduced role in the offense during a 2017 stint in New Orleans. 

The Saints traded him to the Arizona Cardinals after just four games when Peterson became frustrated with his playing time. That year, Peterson was third in a rotation behind Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. 

Adding to the potential drama facing the Redskins, 106.7 The Fan’s Jason Bishop, citing a source, said on the air Tuesday that Gruden did not want to retain Peterson when Washington narrowed down the roster to 53 players over the weekend. The Sports Junkies’ Eric Bickel added there was an argument within the organization about the running back. Bishop said Gruden doesn’t want to “deal” with Peterson’s possible dissatisfaction over his role.

As for Williams, the left tackle could report as soon as Week 2, per The NFL Network. Hall, however, did not indicate if he’s heard from Williams on when he plans to show up. Hall has spoken with his former teammate throughout the summer — first indicating that Williams would not return to the Redskins unless they parted ways with their training staff.

Williams is upset with over the handling of a benign tumor on his scalp, which required surgery. Williams has asked for either a trade or a new contract — neither of which the Redskins appear willing to accommodate. The 31-year-old reportedly told friends he would never play for Washington again. 

Hall said on his podcast that he talked with team president Bruce Allen and Allen indicated Williams would be willing to back off demands that staff be fired.

“Bruce told me he asked Trent, ‘Tell me who to fire and I’ll fire them,’” Hall said. “Trent’s response? ‘Man, I don’t want to cost anybody their job. I don’t want to put anybody’s livelihood in my hands.’”