Donte Stallworth is back on the free agent market.
After more than two months and three preseason games, the Redskins released Stallworth on Monday morning, according to Pro Football Talk. Stallworth was dealing with a lingering hamstring issue throughout training camp and was never able to get back to full health.
Stallworth played in just two of the Redskins’ three games this preseason, catching two passes for 33 yards. The injury sent him down the wide receiver depth chart, and he was on the third string during the Redskins’ win over the Buffalo Bills over the weekend.
Stallworth, 32, spent one game with the Patriots in 2012, with a 63-yard touchdown catch in Week 14 marking his only production on the season before he was placed on injured reserve. He did have one prior stint with the Redskins in 2011, catching 22 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games.
Injuries have been the biggest hindrance during Stallworth’s once promising career, forcing him to miss 45 games over the course of 10 NFL seasons. There are still teams in need of reliable veteran receivers, though. If healthy, Stallworth can fill that role for most teams around the league.
Stallworth is a positive locker room presence and a leader on the field, and he can help mentor young receivers. Bill Belichick seems to have an affinity for Stallworth’s attitude and work ethic, bringing him to New England on two other occasions (2007 and 2012 preseason), and the Patriots do have quite a number of young receivers in need of some tutelage.
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