Capital Games welcomes back Dr. Ray Solano, a chiropractor with a specialty in sports medicine who has been contributing posts about how injuries affect our teams.
Rookie tight end Jordan Reed has emerged as a valuable player for the Washington Redskins.
There was a time this season when Reed hauled in multiple catches and became a threat on third downs. There is no doubt that he is the future of the franchise at the tight end position.
In Week 11, Reed suffered a concussion against the Philadelphia Eagles and has yet to return to play.
It was expected that he would miss week 12 against the 49ers, but also missing Monday night against the Giants has now raised a red flag. Reed said he experienced headaches before the Giants game.
“It was kind of the day leading up to the game and that day as well.” said Reed.
Under NFL rules, Reed cannot be considered for return to play activities until he is fully asymptomatic, both at rest and after exertion. In addition, he must have a normal neurological and neuropsychological test. Finally, Reed has to be cleared by a team physician and independent neurological consultant before stepping on the field.
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Reed did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. He was limited during Thursday's practice.
Reed has a history of two concussions while playing in college at Florida, but has made it clear that he wants to get back on the field this weekend. It's an extremely tough decision that the Redskins have to make.
Another concussion this season is capable of risking Reed's longevity as an NFL athlete.
The season is already lost and there are no playoff hopes for Washington. It's unlikely Reed needs to gain more experience to be ready for next season.
Therefore, it's my opinion that the Redskins shut Reed down for the remainder of the season and allow for a full recovery.
Time is your biggest ally when recovering from a concussion.
Time is what Reed needs in order to fully heal and return as a valuable weapon in the Redskins passing attack.
Dr. Ray Solano is a board-certified Doctor of Chiropractic, with a specialty in sports medicine, and a frequent guest on News4 Midday. Follow @DrRaySolano on Twitter.
