Richmond, Va. – Washington Redskins Head Coach Jay Gruden addressed the media today for a pre-Training Camp press conference. As of the day, it had been two days since the team had been pretty much forced to waive promising young safety Kyshoen Jarrett on a “failed physical” designation.
Jarrett made an impact on the field in the short time he wore the Burgundy and Gold, not so much at safety but in their nickel packages. In 2015 he logged four passes defended, 38 tackles and a forced fumble which he was able to get from New York Jets wide out Eric Decker in Washington’s 34-20 loss in Week 6.
Up until the Week 17 game against the Cowboys, Jarrett (who is out of “Defensive Back University” or VA Tech), seemed to be seeing a promising career with the Redskins coming to fruition before his very eyes.
It’s too bad that the designation under which the Redskins released the young man is what it is… because “failed physical” makes it sound like the person taking the physical simply did not put in the time and effort required to pass.
In Jarrett’s situation, it was nothing of the kind. The second-year 2015 sixth-round draft pick was waived because he suffered severe nerve damage in his neck and shoulder during last season’s finale against the Dallas Cowboys and has not regained full use of his arm yet. He has seen several doctors and specialists since the injury occurred to no avail.
Gruden was asked about the young man during his presser and it was hard to not be touched hearing his comments and the way in which they were delivered.
“It was hard,” Gruden said about having to waive the talented young man. “We still tried to stay as hopeful and as positive as we could throughout his rehab and seeing doctors and all that stuff. The news just never came out to be good enough. We’re mostly concerned about him getting better as a person and being able to function… [to] do things he needs to do in life, not so much about football at this time. We want to make sure that we do the best we can to take care of him. He’s still going to rehab. We just wish the best for him because he’s such a great kid. Great football player, obviously, but he’s a better kid than a football player. We want what’s best for him.”
I’m sure that all of Redskins Nation would echo Gruden’s words.