Jordan Reed played six games for the Redskins last season. He started the 2017 campaign on the Physically Unable to Play list, missing the bulk of training camp and the preseason, and finished the year on the injured reserve.

Reed last played football in October, and doesn't sound like he will any time soon.

Asked if he expects Reed to participate in OTAs, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden replied, "Heck no."

Huh?

The point of shutting Reed down in 2017 was to get him healthy for 2018. That plan, however, doesn't seem to be working. Or if it is, it's working very slowly.

Two important things to note:

1. It's entirely possible Washington is being extra cautious with Reed. He tried to push through the toe injury in 2017, and it didn't work. Jordan Reed does not need OTAs to be productive on the field this fall, and maybe resting him is just a precaution.

2. Reed is tough. He will play through pain. He's proven that repeatedly.

RELATED: 2018 NFL MOCK DRAFT 7.0

"We've taken the necessary steps to get him right. He's had some procedure done on his toes and now it's just a matter of the rehab," Gruden said Tuesday in Orlando during NFL League Meetings.

"He's been working hard at it. He's been working on his upper body while his toes are recovering," the coach explained.

"Hopefully we'll see a healthy, 100 percent Jordan by training camp."

Training camp?

RELATED: REDSKINS BEST DRAFT PICKS SINCE 2000

Reed had foot and toe problems throughout 2017, starting before camp. Now, even after resting the final two months of the season and an offseason "procedure" it doesn't sound like the star tight end is close to playing football.

If Reed isn't able to go until training camp, that would mark a full calendar year where the toe is a problem. That sounds troubling for an elite play-making tight end set to count more than $10 million against the salary cap in 2018. It's also not completely known what the issue is. One toe? Two? A couple?

Without being too obvious, the Redskins need Reed. He dramatically enhances the offensive game plan. Gruden knows it.

"Jordan’s a special guy,” the coach said.

“There aren’t many tight ends in football who can do what he can do, running the option routes across the middle, breaking people down, lining up on the outside and beating people deep, going across the middle, he’s a special talent. He makes us better, without a doubt."

It's late March. Now is not the time for fans to freak out. But OTAs are in May, and it is clear Reed won't be on the field then. Training camp will open in late July.

There is plenty of time between now and then for Reed to rest and recover. Plenty. But it's time to pay attention.

Click here for the #RedskinsTalk on Apple Podcasts, here for Google Play or press play below. Don't forget to subscribe!