The Washington Redskins started the painful process Friday of trimming their 90-man preseason roster down to just 53 players. This year the NFL removed the 75-man roster cut that would have taken place after the Redskins third preseason game and instead decided on just one major mandatory cut per team on or before Saturday, September 2, 2017, at 4:00 pm.
With that in mind, the team finished up their preseason last night with a 13-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both teams kept their starters off the field as third-string quarterback Nate Sudfeld played the entire game for Washington.
Redskins start cutting players
While 31 players sat out Thursday night's game in Tampa Bay, 58 others knew they were still battling for what was essentially 22 spots as the NFL's preseason came to a conclusion. This year the Redskins had a very competitive training camp that included roster battles all over the team's locker room and practice fields. Many of those battles were shifted due to injuries, but Washington's coaches still have some tough decisions ahead of them.
Before the team can fully focus on their opening day game against the Philadelphia Eagles, they will need to finalize their opening day roster. Friday afternoon the team started making transactions in accordance with Saturday's deadline.
The Redskins first cuts came from their undrafted college free-agents/players in their second year who haven't been in the league yet list as the team parted with cornerbacks Tevin Homer (FAU, UDFA rookie) and Jeremiah McKinnon (FIU, UDFA rookie), defensive lineman Ondre Pipkins (Texas Tech, UDFA rookie) and running back Kenny Hilliard (LSU, 2nd-year pickup).
We will post other cuts below as they come in via Twitter:
Redskins cut OLB Lynden Trail. Had a good preseason, but lots of depth there.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) September 1, 2017
Redskins have cut veteran safety Will Blackmon, two sources say.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) September 1, 2017
The Redskins have released Isaiah Williams per source.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 1, 2017
WR Zach Pascal released by Redskins, per source.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 1, 2017
Redskins have released WR James Quick according to a source.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) September 1, 2017
Skins moves not yet turned in to league office. Were not part of official transactions yet. By my count, 9 known cut. Expect 6-10 more Fri
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 1, 2017
The Redskins also have released rookie OL Kendall Pace. Local kid, from Forestville, Md.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 2, 2017
Offensive lineman John Kling to be released. Skins would like to bring him back to practice squad, source says.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) September 2, 2017
LB Zach Vigil getting released by Redskins, per source.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 2, 2017
#Redskins have cut NT Joey Mbu, per source.
— Master Tesfatsion (@MasterTes) September 2, 2017
Also, C Ronald Patrick will be waived with an injury settlement. high ankle sprain.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 2, 2017
LB Ron Thompson Jr. to be released on injury settlement.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) September 2, 2017
The Redskins also are releasing G Kyle Kalis, per source.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 2, 2017
#Redskins have cut safety Fish Smithson, per source. Practice squad candidate.
— Master Tesfatsion (@MasterTes) September 2, 2017
#Redskins have released LB Pete Robertson per source, likely practice squad.
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania621) September 2, 2017
The #Redskins are releasing WR Maurice Harris, via source. They plan to add him to practice squad if he clears waivers.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) September 2, 2017
Redskins are releasing QB Nate Sudfeld. Hope to get on PS, but we shall see.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 2, 2017
The Redskins have released Lucas Crowley per source. Another strong PS candidate
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 2, 2017
Redskins are releasing offensive lineman Brandon Banks and plan to bring him back to practice squad.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) September 2, 2017
Redskins told RB Matt Jones they are waiving him, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2017
#Redskins cut DL A.J. Francis, per source.
— Master Tesfatsion (@MasterTes) September 2, 2017
The Redskins have told TE Derek Carrier they will release him if they can't trade him, per source.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 2, 2017
OL Tyler Catalina has been told he's on the Redskins. Undrafted free agent and versatile.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 2, 2017
#Redskins cut WR Matt Hazel, per source.
— Master Tesfatsion (@MasterTes) September 2, 2017
The Redskins will release rookie WR Robert Davis, hoping to sign him to the practice squad, per source.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 2, 2017
The Redskins have released LB Nico Marley, source says.
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) September 2, 2017
#Redskins cut TE Manasseh Garner, per source
— Master Tesfatsion (@MasterTes) September 2, 2017
The Redskins unofficial 53-man roster by position. Deadine was 4 p.m. pic.twitter.com/e0QpsCazev
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 2, 2017
Skins final cuts: 2015 fourth-rounder Arie Kouandjio, OT Vinston Painter, injured players Bibbs and Jacobs,
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) September 2, 2017
Names that stand out
The three big names on the list are obviously running back Matt Jones, third-string quarterback Nate Sudfeld, and cornerback/safety Will Blackmon.
It should also be noted that Washington traded tight-end Derek Carrier to the Los Angeles Rams for a seventh-round draft pick. Carrier was expected to be cut by the team Saturday, but the Redskins were smartly able to get something out of the trade rather than just cutting him and getting nothing in return.
The team also placed nose tackle Phil Taylor on injured reserve, which was an expected move. With the cutting of A.J. Francis and Joey Mbu, the team now does not have a natural nose tackle on the roster which likely means they will have their eye's open watching other team's waiver-wire in hopes of finding what they're looking for. If the team can't find anyone that way, they could just decide to slide Stacy McGee or one of the other defensive ends over to nose in the 10-20 percent of snaps the position may see in new Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Manusky's scheme this season. The Redskins run out of the nickel formation approximately 60-65 percent of the time, meaning the need for a nose tackle is diminished more than in a conventional 3-4 defense.