Redskins rule out signing Kaepernick
WASHINGTON: Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden ruled out making a move for Colin Kaepernick on Tuesday as the team grappled with an injury crisis that has left their two first-choice quarterbacks out for the season.
Kaepernick, who has been unemployed since being released by the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, claims he is being punished by the NFL for his “take a knee” protests during the national anthem to raise awareness over racial injustice.
The 31-year-old has said he hopes to return to the NFL despite being repeatedly overlooked by teams.
Kaepernick was linked to the Redskins after a season-ending injury to quarterback Colt McCoy during Washington’s defeat by Philadelphia.
The Redskins had already lost starter Alex Smith with a season-ending injury, and finished the game against the Eagles with j ourneyman signal-caller Mark Sanchez, signed as a free agent Nov 19, at quarterback. Before Monday, Sanchez hadn’t played in the NFL since 2016.
Gruden said on Tuesday that while Kaepernick’s availability had been discussed by team officials, no move would be made for him.
“He’s been discussed for sure,” Gruden said. “It’s just going to be a matter of which way you want to go.”
Gruden said the team questioned whether Kaepernick would have enough time to learn a “whole new offence”.
“There’s not a lot of time to get a brandnew quarterback and system installed in a couple of days,” Gruden said. “He’s been talked about, but we’ll probably go in a different direction.”
Gruden insisted it was purely a sporting decision, and not a reflection on Kaepernick’s social activism.
“Just football, strictly football,” Gruden said. “When you’re talking about a backup quarterback this late in the game, you want someone with a similar skillset to the quarterback you have.
“Not that Colin can’t do some of the things we’ve talked about, but we want someone with a little more familiarity.”
Gruden’s explanation was greeted with scepticism by Kaepernick’s attorney Mark Geragos however.
“Isn’t it obvious what’s happening?” Geragos told the Washington Post.
Richard Sherman, cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers, was similarly critical, telling NBC’s PFTPM podcast he believed Kaepernick was being ostracised.
“I think it’s one of those situations where, it’s disappointing, but that’s exactly the case, you know, because there’s nothing legally stopping the teams from doing it,” Sherman said.
“There’s not enough public pressure, nothing that’s going to force a team to sign him, you know?”