Jordan Reed says he can play all 16 games

The word from the Washington Redskins has been remarkably consistent when it comes to tight end Jordan Reed. They believe he can be very productive, even a superstar. That is, of course, if he's healthy.

That's the rub. Reed has missed 12 games in his career with a variety of injuries, including a knee problem, a pulled hamstring, and a concussion. Reed knows what he can do, but he also knows he has to be there to prove it. 

To prevent injuries from coming so easily in the future, he moved his diet away from bread and fried foods and has been stretching more than he has in the past.

"I used to stretch, but only a little bit before practice," Reed said. "Now I'm in the training room every chance I get. I'm in there at least three or four times a day, usually one of the last guys to leave the facility. Just making sure."

While he knows fate can be fickle, and that anybody can go down at any time, he believes he's put in enough work to stick around more this season than he has in recent years.

"Anything can happen on any play," he said, via ESPN. "But it is in my control to make sure I'm doing extra to make sure I can stop the nagging injuries from getting worse. I'm excited, I feel it will be a good year for me. I'll be able to play all 16 games."

So far, so good in training camp. Of all the injuries to plague some of the Redskins' better known names (DeSean Jackson, DeAngelo Hall), Reed has kept himself away from harm so far. If he can stay that way, his potential at the position is among the tops in the league.

Though he failed to score a touchdown in 11 games last season and needs to show improvement as a pass and run blocker, the skillset he brings to the pass game can provide Robert Griffin III (also perpetually on injury-watch) a valuable target as the Redskins look to rebound from a few bum years.