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Redskins' Reed, Norman cleared to travel to London

By Kevin Patra
Around the NFL writer
Published: Oct. 27, 2016 at 03:07 p.m.
Updated: Oct. 27, 2016 at 03:14 p.m.

Jordan Reed and Josh Norman will make the trip to London.

Coach Jay Gruden told reporters Thursday that both star players, dealing with concussions, were cleared for travel. The Redskins head across the pond tonight.

Gruden added that Reed and Norman would practice on Friday, and hope to be cleared to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

"Signs are looking better," Gruden said, adding Reed and Norman's availability will depend on how they feel after practice.

Reed has missed the past two games with his most recent concussion. The tight end said this Thursday he feels "100 percent" and expects to play this week.

Norman left last week's loss in Detroit with after suffering a concussion in the second half, when his helmet bounced off the turf. Norman was limited on Wednesday and Thursday in practice.

Both will need to be officially cleared before taking the field.

At 4-3, the Redskins need both playmakers back on the field. Reed would be a big mismatch for the offense against Bengals linebackers that struggle in coverage. Norman would matchup with A.J. Green. The highly paid Norman has been worth the money this season when given a chance to match up with No. 1 receivers.

Prowl33 wrote:THANK GOD.

So the protocol now is they just need to be cleared by the team doctors to play, they both say they feel great, so barring any setbacks we should have our 2 best players on the field!

Deadskins wrote:

Prowl33 wrote:THANK GOD.

So the protocol now is they just need to be cleared by the team doctors to play, they both say they feel great, so barring any setbacks we should have our 2 best players on the field!

No, they have to be cleared by an independent neurologist.

Prowl33 wrote:

Deadskins wrote:

Prowl33 wrote:THANK GOD.

So the protocol now is they just need to be cleared by the team doctors to play, they both say they feel great, so barring any setbacks we should have our 2 best players on the field!

No, they have to be cleared by an independent neurologist.

Incorrect, Jay Gruden said in his presser today that they just needed to be cleared by the team. Reporters asked him numerous times he was pretty clear on it.

A player may be considered for return to practice and play only after the player has returned to baseline status with rest and exertion, has repeat neuropsychological testing which is interpreted by the team neuropsychology consultant as back to baseline levels of functioning, and has completed the Return to Practice Protocol referenced above and is cleared by the Team Physician and the Independent Neurological Consultant.

Prowl33 wrote:I think they have been cleared for full practice though, so maybe they cleared the last test with the independent but aren't actually considered out if the concussion protocol until team doctors clear themy too? I don't know but Gruden made it sound completely like it was a team and player decision now when he was questioned about it, and he's always the type to defer the concussion questions onto the independent

Jordan Reed (concussion) is back at practice, but still needs an independent neurologist's approval to play in London against the Bengals on Sunday.

Running back Matt Jones sat out practice with a knee injury that will keep him out of Sunday’s game, while cornerback Josh Norman and tight end Jordan Reed continued to practice freely under concussion protocol. Norman said he doesn’t know why he wouldn’t be cleared to play against the Bengals based on the way he felt Friday, using his own fatigue as another indication of his health.

“You’ve got to fight through some stuff,” Norman said. “You’ve got to fight through and overcome those obstacles you face. Other team’s got to deal with that too. Not only us, you’ve got to understand that, and know that we’re the only ones dealing with elements of being fatigued and tired. That’s an excuse. We’re not looking for those.”