David Bruton Heading To Injured Reserve, Redskins Sign Josh Evans
David Bruton is heading to the injured reserve which will likely end his season. The Washington Redskins added a couple of safeties, including Josh Evans, to make up for the loss.
The Washington Redskins have made a flurry of roster moves on Wednesday afternoon. After releasing defensive lineman Kendall Reyes in the morning, the team signed safety Donte Whitner midday. Following that, the team signed safety Josh Evans and moved veteran starter David Bruton to the injured reserve (per Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper). Bruton had started the first four games for the Redskins.
The loss of Bruton likely will not have a major impact on the team. Bruton had been playing fairly well during the first month of the season, but he did have moments where he struggled in coverage. He was is a solid strong safety, he recorded 28 tackles, but the acquisitions of Whitner and Evans will soften the blow.
Whitner is a hard hitting safety who has made it to the Pro Bowl three times in his career. Though he declined last season with the Browns, he still has talent and could end up being a big role player for the team. For now, he will probably become the primary backup safety with Duke Ihenacho moving into the starting lineup.
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Evans is a former Jacksonville Jaguars safety who has made 36 starts over his three year career. Evans is only a mediocre player in coverage, but he has performed well in run support during the past. He can play both safety positions and he could be an important addition as a run stopping backup. His coverage skills are also an upgrade over Deshazor Everett’s, who would have been the fourth safety had Evans not signed.
Of the two signings, the Evans move probably has more upside. He is still a young player and if he can work on his coverage, he could become a low end starter for the team. Whitner could play well for the team this year, but at the best he is a short term addition.
The moves made by the Redskins today were both solid acquisitions. The team needed more depth at safety with Bruton out, and adding Whitner and Evans should give them just that. It will be interesting to see how the secondary holds up this week in the team’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.