The Washington Redskins went into the 2019 NFL season opener without tight end Jordan Reed. Head coach Jay Gruden is optimistic about his status in the weeks to come.

Reed has been recovering from a concussion he suffered during the preseason. According to Matthew Paras of The Washington Times, Gruden's main priority is getting him back to 100 percent:

Gruden said he’s very optimistic about Reed, but said the most important thing is getting him symptom free.

Gruden's comments are certainly understandable. Reed took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal during their penultimate preseason game. The contact had even drawn a $28,075 fine from the league.

Unfortunately, Reed has quite a track record when it comes to dealing with concussions. Although the team was optimistic that he would be available for the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington ultimately opted for a cautious approach with his return.

While Reed's absence left the receiving corps shorthanded, tight ends Vernon Davis and Jeremy Sprinkle were able to serve as viable replacements in his stead. They finished with a combined eight receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. Of course, Davis managed to do the heavy lifting by turning back the clock with a spectacular 48-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown.

When healthy, Reed produces a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses with his skill set as a pass-catcher. Regardless, his track record with concussions indicates that Washington will take every precaution they can to ensure he is 100 percent before making his return.