With heavy hearts tempering the joy of a preseason victory, the Washington Redskins returned to Richmond, Va., on Friday for their final push in training camp.
The squad has three practices remaining in Richmond before hosting Detroit at FedEx Field on Thursday night.
General Manager Scot McCloughan and Coach Jay Gruden are weighing how to proceed after losing starting tight end Niles Paul for the season to an ankle injury early in the second quarter of Thursday's 20-17 come-from-behind victory over Cleveland.
The regular season is still four weeks away, but the Redskins' depth chart has been decimated at tight end. Paul dislocated and fractured his left ankle when a Browns defender rolled on the back of his leg just days after Gruden named him the squad's starting tight end.
The Redskins are already without veteran tight end Logan Paulsen, who tore a ligament in his big toe during camp and may need surgery, which would likely end his season. Jordan Reed, 6-2, 237, is the most adept receiver among the tight ends but opened the preseason in his too familiar spot on the injury list with a tweaked hamstring.
McCloughan hopes to bring in a few free agents to evaluate over the weekend, according to a person with knowledge of the deliberations. But there isn't an established veteran among them, and the ranks of attractive college tight end prospects in this year's NFL draft were thin.
Paul's injury leaves a vacancy on offense and special teams.
Reed presumably will take over as the starter, but he has yet to play a full season since being drafted in 2013. With Paulsen possibly out for the season, it may be that the Redskins' need at tight end works in favor of the three young players on the roster: Chase Dixon, Je'Ron Hamm and Devin Mahina.
Dixon, who played at the University of Central Arkansas and spent last season on the Redskins' practice squad, would prefer the circumstances were different.
Dixon, 6-5, 240, has worked hard to mold himself into a complete tight end, throwing himself into his blocking assignments and using his speed in the passing game.
"It's hard," said Dixon, who caught a 17-yard pass and helped block for the running backs Thursday. "Niles is like the glue that holds us together, and you never want to see one of your brothers fall like that. ... You don't want this opportunity coming this way, but nevertheless, it's an opportunity for me, so when coach puts me out there, I'm going to try to do my job and try to help the team."
Every Redskins player, coach and executive felt pain and sympathy for Paul, who was flanked by close friends Darrel Young and Trent Williams as the team's medical staff evaluated him on the field before he was loaded onto a cart and ferried off.
Linebacker Adam Hayward said his heart especially went out to Paul because he knew how the tight end felt. Hayward's 2014 season ended prematurely when he fractured the tibial plateau in his right leg in Week 12, so he spoke from experience in explaining how important it was that teammates encourage Paul throughout his recovery.
"I have to be there for him because I know, it puts you in a dark place, man," Hayward said. "When this is your job -- this is what you do, what you spend all summer for, getting back into the season -- and it all gets taken away in one play, it messes with your mind. You're kind of sitting there, and you kind of feel like you get forgotten because you've got to move forward. It's next man up, and you've got to move forward.
"So, just being there for him and him knowing that when he's back and ready, he's going to be here. He's always got a place here, and you just have to remind him of that."
Young said Paul wept as the gravity of his injury became clear.
In the hours that followed, Redskins past and present voiced support through social media, as did numerous fans.
"Praying for you my brother," posted cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who just this summer returned from a twice-torn Achilles tendon that could have ended his 12-year pro career. "Just remember God doesn't make mistakes. He's setting you up for a beautiful ending bro"
Hall was joined by teammates Chris Baker, Will Compton, Duke Ihenacho, DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts in tweeting prayers, while former Redskins Adam Carriker and Graham Gano sent wishes for a speedy recovery.
Paul, 26, generally avoids playing out his personal life on social media, but he took to Twitter on Friday morning to express his gratitude.
"Life can be cruel sometimes," Paul wrote. "Thank you for all your well wishes & prayers. They are very much appreciated."
Sports on 08/15/2015