Jay Gruden on Trent Williams holdout, medical rumors: 'That's between he and the doctors'
Trent Williams is not at the Washington Redskins’ mandatory minicamp.
The 30-year-old left tackle was absent from the team’s offseason practices for a second straight day Wednesday amid reports that he wants a new deal and has issues with the team’s medical staff.
Williams signed a five-year $66 million extension in 2015 that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. Since then, several lineman have signed richer contracts.
Williams remains one of the game’s premier talents at his position and is coming off his seventh straight Pro Bowl season, lending credence to the reports that he wants to be paid accordingly.
Contract or medical concerns — or both?
Williams is also recovering from an offseason health scare that required the removal of a non-malignant growth from his head. He is rumored to be upset with how the team’s medical staff handled the situation.
Gruden: ‘Between he and the doctors’
Head coach Jay Gruden addressed that topic on Wednesday with reporters.
“Just trying to focus on the guys that are here right now,” Gruden said when asked about Williams. “Trent knows how much we need him and want him back. That's the only thing I can do from here. As far as what happened with him and the doctors, that's between he and the doctors; hopefully, we can get that cleared up soon.
“I think our medical staff has done a good job. I think where the frustration might lie is the timing of the diagnosis. Maybe he wishes it was diagnosed a little sooner to my understanding, but other than that I think our doctors and medical staff have done a good job.”
Other medical concerns for Washington players
Williams’ reported problems with the medical staff aren’t the first concerns to surface on that front. Running back Derrius Guice and quarterback Alex Smith each experienced infections after having surgery on their injured legs. Guice’s infection required three additional procedures to his initial operation to repair a torn ACL.
Williams has long been one of Washington’s best players and plays one of the game’s cornerstone positions. With first-round rookie Dwayne Haskins potentially taking over the quarterback position and Gruden facing pressure on his job to deliver a playoff berth this season, Williams is a critical piece to the team’s outlook.
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