Roster Moves
November 5, 2018
by Steve Thomas
The Redskins announced a flurry of roster moves today in response to the rash of devastating injuries suffered during Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Head coach Jay Gruden stated that starting left guard Shawn Lauvao, starting right guard and two-time Pro Bowler Brandon Scherff, and starting wide receiver Paul Richardson, Jr., would all undergo season-ending surgeries. All three were placed on injured reserve. Lauvao tore his ACL in his left knee, Scherff suffered a torn pectoral, and Richardson’s AC joint in his shoulder needs repair.
To fill the roster spots vacated by these three players, the Redskins signed guard Luke Bowanko, guard Jonathan Cooper, and tackle Austin Howard to the active roster.
Bowanko, who stands 6’6″ and weighs 305 pounds, is a native of Fairfax County, Virginia. He was drafted out of the University of Virginia in the 6th round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has played 39 games, starting 15, in his four year career for both the Jaguars and most recently with the Baltimore Ravens. Bowanko spent time with the New England Patriots during this past offseason.
Cooper, 6’2″ and 308 pounds, entered the NFL as a 2013 first round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals out of the University of North Carolina. Cooper spent 2014 and 2015 in Arizona before being traded to the Patriots during the 2016 offseason. After being released by New England, he moved to Cleveland for 2016 and Dallas for the 2017 season. He has played 42 games in his NFL career, starting 27, including 13 games for Cowboys last year. He also spend time with the San Francisco 49ers this past offseason.
Howard, who is 6’7″ and 330 pounds, was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent out of Northern Iowa in 2010. Howard spent one season in Philadephia, before moving to the Jets, Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens. Howard has been a starter virtually his entire career, playing in 92 games and starting 88. He spent the 2018 offseason with the Indianapolis Colts before being released at the end of training camp.