Redskins' Jordan Reed thinks injuries are behind him

Reputations are sticky things. Wherever you go, they go, and even long after you are no longer are guilty of the thing you're known for, people still expect you to be.

Hence, the suspicion some have whenever Redskins tight end Jordan Reed takes the field. 

"It's out of anybody's control whether they get hurt or not," Reed said. "Anything can happen on any play. 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."

Nagging might be the perfect word to describe Reed's injury history. He missed seven games as a rookie, five more the next year, and was out in the spring following a knee problem. The injuries themselves, too, have been varied: his head, quad, and hamstring have all been in the running for one issue or another.

He missed 12 of a possible 32 career games and only played on 50 percent of the snaps in 10 of his appearances for Washington.

"A lot of it is just dumb luck," Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said. "Jordan has had some unfortunate injuries. But a lot of it is also what you're doing in the weight room to get yourself ready and how you're taking care of your body off the field."

So far, so good in that department, and in training camp. Not only has he stayed healthy, but he's moving in the right direction in another important way.

Gruden says he "feel[s] a difference" with him becoming a more all-round positional player this season, something that has evaded him thus far in his brief career. Reed has always been a consistent and dominating threat in the receiving game, but his abilities as a run and pass blocker have been called into question.

"I told him he's doing his normal thing in the passing game, doing a great job getting open, snatching the ball and running after the catch," Gruden said. "But what I really notice is when we ask him to pass protect. He's doing an excellent job. Even in the running game, he's doing a good job. He's got a little bit more strength and a little more confidence in his strength. I see a big improvement in Jordan Reed in the total package of being a tight end."

The preseason is a time for optimism, for player and coach and fan alike. The proof is in the regular season pudding whether Reed has overcome his dinks and dunks or if he's one of those guys who the injury bug has bitten one time too many.

"I'm excited, I feel it will be a good year for me," Reed said. "I'll be able to play all 16 games."