Washington cuts Sims, activates Sharpe off COVID-19 reserve list

ASHBURN — In the end, Steven Sims was expendable. 

The Washington Football Team released the slot wide receiver Monday, parting ways with the 24-year-old as the team activated tackle David Sharpe off the COVID-19 reserve list. In a crowded wide receiver competition, Sims fell behind in recent weeks. He played 24 snaps in Friday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but went without a catch. 

Washington also made the move ahead of Tuesday’s deadline for teams to cut down to 80 players. 

Sims in 2019 was a promising prospect for the Washington Football Team, an undrafted free agent out of Kansas who grabbed 34 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns and showcasing his speed and diversity on the field. Sims even shined in the return game, where he scored a 91-yard touchdown on a kickoff. 

But the momentum didn’t carry to 2020. He struggled with toe injuries and finished with 27 catches for 265 yards in 12 games.

This year, Sims seemed to improve. Rivera said the wide receiver was turning things around, noting he looked more explosive in underneath routes. But Sims ultimately couldn’t beat out Adam Humphries, Dax Milne and DeAndre Carter — all potential slot options who also can return kicks. 

This is the second wide receiver Washington has cut in recent weeks. The team also released Kelvin Harmon, a sixth-rounder in 2019.

The team now has 10 wideouts on the roster.

Sharpe, meanwhile, had been on the reserve list since July 31.