After getting hurt late in the season last year, Perry Riley is finally ready to start playing football again.
Riley was activated off the PUP list today. Not only did Riley miss the last five games of last season, but he’s also missed participating in all of the Redskins off-season work (OTA, mini-camps, etc.). He broke his foot and had a second surgery on it in February.
Gruden has said that Riley will be eased back into things. Mason Foster and Will Compton are currently penciled in as the two starting ILBs. Riley was starting alongside Compton last year when he got hurt and was replaced by Foster.
If you’ll recall, Riley was pretty impressive last year, especially when starting alongside Compton. Compton’s incredibly vocal and has basically cemented his role at one of the starting ILB spots. There’s a theory that his communication skills helped Riley to play much better and faster.
If Riley can’t regain his starting spot though, he’d be a very expensive backup. If the Redskins decide to cut him, they’ll save themselves ~$4M. As a reminder, this is a contract year for Riley. He’s entering his sixth year as a pro after being drafted by the ‘Skins back in 2010 and becoming a starter in 2011. In addition to he, Compton, and Foster, the ‘Skins also have Martrell Spaight, Terence Garvin, Steven Daniels, and (for the time being at least) Su’a Cravens at ILB. Looking at that list, you’ll quickly realize that Riley (if he doesn’t regain his starting spot) would be the only reserve at the position with significant NFL experience.