The Washington Redskins were expecting left tackle Trent Williams to participate in practice after passing his physical at the team facility. He did not end up taking the practice field, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Redskins had announced on Tuesday that Williams reported to the team and that they had received a roster exemption. While they were expecting him to return to the practice field, the intentions that Williams doesn't plan to play this season.

The rationale behind Williams' decision to take his physical with the Redskins was to receive credit for the 2019 season of his contract, as explained by Mike Florio of NBC Sports. There is a possibility that he could be a free agent after 2020 depending on the outcome of whether the deal tolls or not.

The strategy underscores the reality that Williams showed up for one reason and one reason only: To get credit for the current year of his contract. If the deal tolls, he’ll be under contract through 2021; if it doesn’t, he’ll be a free agent after 2020.

That becomes an important distinction if/when Washington tries to trade Williams in the offseason. If the new team gets Williams under contract for two years, it presumably would be willing to give up more than if he’s signed for only one year.

Surely, Washington won’t happily pay the balance of his $10.85 million salary, if Williams won’t actually be playing this year. And if there’s any straight-faced argument to be made by Washington that the contract tolls, Washington will make it.

The situation is rather complicated between Williams and the Redskins because things will change depending on a few factors. There is certainly more that needs to unfold before an ultimate conclusion is reached.