For a moment, Todd Wade got nervous. He’d received a nod of the head from the coaches, signaling to him that he’d become the new starting right tackle. And then word got back to him later Monday that no decision had been made.
“I was like, ‘What?’” he said, “I’ve been waiting to get back in there.”
And now he is.
The Redskins told Wade Tuesday that he’ll replace injured Jon Jansen at right tackle for Monday’s game at Philadelphia. Jansen broke his right fibula and dislocated his right ankle in Sunday’s 16-13 overtime win against Miami. He’ll undergo surgery today or tomorrow and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
With Wade inactive Sunday, rookie Stephon Heyer replaced Jansen. Though the coaches liked Heyer’s performance, one fact remained: before last Friday’s practice, he had never worked at right tackle in his football life.
Meanwhile, Wade has started 85 games at right tackle for Miami (2000-03) and Houston (2004-05). He also started one game in place of Jansen last year, a win at New Orleans.
“He’ll do fine,” Jansen said. “He went in last year and played well. He’ll do a great job.”
In the offseason, the Redskins thought that role would be at left guard. Wade initially balked at the move, preferring to test free agency. There wasn’t any market for him.
“It might have been wishful thinking that I would go out there and all the teams would be calling and [offering] any decent deals,” said Wade, who missed seven games with a knee injury in 2005. “You start one game the year before and no matter how well you do it’s, ‘What was wrong with him?’ You get stuck.”
But the move to guard did not go well, either. One teammate predicted the experiment would end shortly after the organized team activities began in the spring. But Wade stayed at the position into training camp. He started there in the first preseason game and line coach Joe Bugel, who often gushes about players’ performances termed his, “OK.”
Wade said he’s better than he’s ever been with his hands, which he attributes to playing guard. He also said it taught him how to stay lower in pass protection.
But he’s glad his next start will come at tackle.
“It’s been a long time coming,” he said. “I’m glad to get back in the mix.”
Week 2 Notes
» The Redskins signed veteran receiver Reche Caldwell to a one-year deal Tuesday, after putting tackle Jon Jansen on injured reserve.
Washington also cut running back Marcus Mason. If he passes waivers, a team source said they’d likely sign him to the practice squad.
Caldwell led New England in receptions (61) and receiving yards (760) last season. But he dropped key passes in last year’s AFC Championship loss to Indianapolis. The Patriots brought in veteran receivers Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth, making Caldwell expendable.
Caldwell caught 137 passes in his first three seasons, including 46 in two years with San Diego. He was the 16th pick in the second round in 2002 by the Chargers.
The Redskins have six receivers on the roster, one more than they typically like to carry.
» The Redskins also made three practice squad moves, signing offensive lineman Justin Geisinger (Vanderbilt), while cutting receiver Burl Toler and linebacker Anthony Trucks.
The Redskins have one roster spot remaining, which they will fill today.
