Washington’s Cody Latimer placed on commissioner’s exempt list; Caleb Brantley opts out
Latimer’s leave-with-play will likely last until the league comes to a disciplinary decision, and any regular season or postseason games he misses will be credited against any suspension later imposed on him.
Washington will also be without defensive end Caleb Brantley, who opted out of the 2020 season as a “higher-risk” candidate. Such an option was afforded to players in their negotiated modifications to the CBA. To be deemed higher risk, a player has to be diagnosed with one of 15 specific illnesses that include sickle cell disease, cancer, and hypertension or high blood pressure.
A higher-risk player receives credit for an accrued season, as well as all benefits and salary credit for a credited season. He is also eligible for a $350,000 stipend and his contract will be tolled.
Latimer, 27, was arrested May 16 at an apartment complex in Englewood, Colo., where deputies were called to a report of gunshots. Three individuals were detained and one had minor injuries not related to a gunshot. Latimer was the only one taken into custody, and he was released after posting $25,000 bond.
He was initially booked on five charges, but court records show he now has eight counts against him: second-degree assault, two counts of menacing, tampering with physical evidence, two counts of prohibited use of a weapon and two counts of reckless endangerment.
Latimer appeared in Douglas County court remotely July 24 and received a mandatory protection order. He is scheduled for another virtual hearing Aug. 20.
Latimer, a former second-round pick by the Denver Broncos, played the last two seasons with the New York Giants. He signed with Washington in March to add depth and a veteran presence to the team’s young receiving corps, but his indefinite absence now leaves the group thin.
Kelvin Harmon was earlier lost to an ACL injury, and Emanuel Hall (Achilles) was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list. That leaves Washington with 10 receivers on its camp roster, and only three of them have caught more than 10 passes in a season.
Mark Maske contributed reporting.
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