Commanders place TE Sammis Reyes on IR with hamstring injury

Washington Commanders placed second-year tight end Sammis Reyes on injured reserve. Reyes’ IR placement headlines a set of moves Washington made to trim the roster down to 85 players before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. EST deadline.

The Commanders released cornerback De’Vante Bausby and guard Deion Calhoun. The team also placed fullback Alex Armah on injured reserve.

Reyes suffered a hamstring injury on Aug. 5. That same day rookie tight end Cole Turner suffered a hamstring injury as well. Washington was also down its top two tight ends, Logan Thomas (PUP list) and John Bates (calf).

A pair of undrafted rookies, Armani Rogers and Curtis Hodges, took majority of the snaps at tight end in Washington’s preseason opener Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. Rogers has impressed throughout training camp with his increased workload.

Reyes sat out of practice Monday as his hamstring tightened up, according to head coach Ron Rivera. Rogers’ emergence along with the Commanders' improved tight end depth made the decision easier to place Reyes on IR. 

Reyes joined the Commanders last season by way of the NFL’s International Players Pathway Program. He became the first Chilean-born player in the NFL. He played college basketball at Tulane University before deciding to try football professionally.

Reyes appeared in 11 games last season with the Commanders. He played 145 snaps on special teams and 39 on offense without recording a catch.

Reyes’ season is effectively over with the Commanders after being placed on IR during training camp. He does have the option to reach an injury settlement with the team, which would allow him to sign and possibly play elsewhere.