Redskins Release Linebacker Houston Bates, Sign Tight End E.J. Bibbs
According to several sources, the Washington Redskins have released linebacker Houston Bates a day after placing the third-year vet on the physically unable to perform list.
Bates, who appeared in 24 games (mainly special teams) for the Redskins over the last two seasons, injured his ACL during the 2016-17 campaign and was officially released Thursday with a failed physical designation.
Redskins Head Coach Jay Gruden addressed the topic of injured players in his press conference Wednesday.
“Well, I think the injured guys are injured guys,” said Gruden. “We’re never going to change how we treat them. It’s the trainers’ job to tell us when they can go. I’m not going to keep a guy out of practice just because I think he might be injured. It’s up to the trainers and up to that player to let me know whether they can go or not. But like you said, we do have a luxury of having 88 or 87 healthy bodies where we can practice and function without somebody who is injured. That’s the trainers’ job.”
The Redskins signed tight end E.J. Bibbs to fill the vacant spot left from releasing Bates on Washington’s 90-man roster. Bibbs, 25, will be entering his second NFL season, having previously spent time with the Cleveland and Jacksonville. He will join an already crowded depth chart at his position with Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Niles Paul, Derek Carrier, Jeremy Sprinkle and Manasseh Garner already ahead of him.
#Redskins waive LB Houston Bates to make room for Bibbs. Needed a TE with Reed injury and Vernon having a slight hammy. #Redskins
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) July 27, 2017
Below is a video from Cleveland Browns Senior Writer Andrew Gribble discussing E.J. Bibbs and his fight for the second tight end spot on the Browns depth chart in 2016. While Bibbs didn’t see much playing time his rookie season, he did get much-needed practice reps and tutelage from other veteran players on the Browns roster.
[Featured Image by Redskins.com]
