RICHMOND — Trent Williams, the Washington Redskins’ standout left tackle, did not report for the first day of training camp, according to coach Jay Gruden on Wednesday.
Gruden, who did not refer to Williams’ absence as a holdout, seems optimistic that Williams would not be gone for long.
“It’s the first day of training camp, and we have some stuff to go through,” Gruden said. “It’s just business at this point.” I anticipate him to return. “Hope” is not a word I would use. I anticipate him to return. He recognizes what the organization has done for him, as well as what he has done for the franchise.”
Teammates claim Williams was speaking up for others who had similar worries about the team’s medical staff.
However, Gruden used the word “business” twice to explain Williams’ absence, creating the sense that Williams’ absence may be due to a contractual issue. Gruden appeared to say the same thing in the spring, before shifting the attention to Williams’ dissatisfaction with the medical staff.
Williams is entering the fourth year of a five-year contract extension signed in 2015, with a base salary of $11 million this season and $12.5 million in 2020. At 31, with injuries limiting his previous two seasons, Williams may be able to make more in an extension now than in free agency when he
is 33.
“Right now there’s some things he has to work out, individually and personally with his agent,” Gruden said. “Professionally, whatever that may be.
In the spring, Gruden stated that Williams would not have been medically cleared to practice even if he had attended minicamp. This summer, he underwent at least one more treatment on his scalp, which a person familiar with the issue described as “cosmetic.” Gruden did not provide a medical update for Williams.
In the spring, one individual acquainted with Williams’ health stated that he has been working out regularly and is in great form.
Williams, who has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last seven seasons, is one of the team’s most important players. With an offensive line already limited due to injury and inexperience, the Redskins may be hesitant to start rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins early if Williams isn’t available.
When asked how Williams’ absence could affect camp, Gruden answered, “I believe it can affect practice.” “We need to adjust. We’ve learned the hard way over the previous few years that we need to modify. We have to get the guys ready. It makes no difference whether he’s injured or what happens. We need to get the other men ready to play. It’s an excellent opportunity for other guys. Geron Christian has an excellent opportunity. Excellent opportunity for Ereck Flowers. One person’s absence creates a chance for another, and those guys will seize it.
