Redskins surprise some with cuts toward final 53

The NFL’s cut-down day — when teams must reduce their rosters down to 53 men — always holds a few surprises for fans and media. Most of the cuts that the Washington Redskins made before the 4 p.m. deadline did not fall into that category but one or two did.

RB Kapri Bibbs, thought by many to have earned a spot on the team as backup to Chris Thompson, was released and this is a bit of a head-scratcher. Thompson has elite talent and his game is a huge part of head coach Jay Gruden’s offensive scheme. When he went down with a terrible leg injury last season, the offense was reduced to basics. Having another back to do something close to what the Florida alum does is important. The reason the team let Bibbs go could be twofold: 1) that he is still eligible for the practice squad so they may try to stash him there and; 2) that new veteran RB Adrian Peterson is both a good runner and a good pass-catcher. Perhaps they are thinking of working the scheme so that he would back up Thompson if the need arose.

Another surprise was the release of LB Pete Robertson.

Robertson had made a name for himself both in training camp and during the preseason and it was a widely-held opinion that he would make the team. But he was one of the first to be reported as being cut.

Robertson’s release means that the team would have kept either Zach Vigil or Martrell Spaight at the ILB position and they opted for the former. Spaight was a 2015 fifth round pick and a special teams ace. It will be interesting to see if this move hurts special teams.

The youth movement continued as well when Washington released veteran wideout Brian Quick and kept two fan-favorite rookie receivers — Trey Quinn and Cam Sims — on the roster.

Quinn isn’t huge but he has good hands (they’re also big) and runs good routes. He needs developing as does Sims. But Sims is huge (6-5) and very athletic. He’s raw, to be sure. But he’s also got an inborn talent and is a hard worker. He’s bull-headed when it comes to fighting for the ball.

In terms of the youth still in the ballclub, CB Danny Johnson is another player who flashed since arriving in D.C. and, at 4 p.m., he is, so far, still on the team.

Yessir! Congrats to you too brudda ✊?? https://t.co/xl6ZuQx1nT

— Danny Johnson (@D__Johnson10) September 1, 2018

The offensive trenches went through some losses when, early on, OL Kendall Calhoun, OT John Kling, OL Isaiah Williams, G Kyle Kalis, OL T.J. Clemmings and OL Demetrius Rhaney were released. What is notable is that there were also cuts made by other teams from their offensive lines and Washington will, no doubt, be looking at some of those men.

LB Jerod Fernandez had a good preseason (he recorded more sacks than any Redskins during the preseason) but he was also released. Look for him to land on the practice squad.

Washington formally released the final 53-man roster and the changes are below.

These players were released:

RB Kapri Bibbs
DE Phil Taylor, Sr.
WR Brian Quick
C Demetrius Rhaney

These players were waived:

DB Quin Blanding
T Kendall Calhoun
T T.J. Clemmings
WR Simmie Cobbs, Jr.
LB Vontae Diggs
LB Jerod Fernandez
WR Shay Fields
TE Matt Flanagan
QB Kevin Hogan
TE J.P. Holtz
TE Garrett Hudson
DB Prince Charles Iworah
QB Connor Jessop
G Kyle Kalis
WR Darvin Kidsey
T John Kling
DB Kenny Ladler
LB Cassanova McKinzy
LB Dadi Nicolas
T Timon Parris
NT Ondre Pipkins
LB Pete Robertson
DE Dante Sawyer
RB De’Veon Smith
DB Fish Smithson
LB Martrell Spaight
DB Ranthony Texada
DT JoJo Wicker
WR Daniel Williams III
G Isaiah Williams

As well, guard Tyler Catalina was placed on IR, defensive end Stacy McGee was placed on the PUP list and defensive back Joshua Holsey was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list.