Washington Commanders sign former Giants tight end Kaden Smith

With veteran tight end Logan Thomas sidelined with a calf injury, the Washington Commanders signed a reinforcement Sunday morning.

Washington signed 26-year-old tight Kaden Smith, who spent the past three seasons with the New York Giants. Smith appeared in 33 games with 22 starts for New York, recording 52 receptions for 413 yards and three touchdowns.

Buy Commanders Tickets

In a corresponding move, the Commanders released punter Colby Wadman. Washington had signed Wadman last week as longtime punter Tress Way was dealing with a back injury. Wadman punted in Friday’s preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns.

We have made multiple roster moves:
— Signed TE Kaden Smith
— Released P Colby Wadman

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 13, 2023

Thomas has been sidelined with a calf injury for over a week. Head coach Ron Rivera said last week that the injury wasn’t serious but more of a case where the Commanders were playing it safe with the 32-year-old, who missed three games last season with a calf injury. Rivera said the current injury isn’t as several as the one that cost Thomas time last season.

Smith entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2019. The 49ers waived him that September, and the Giants claimed him. The Giants waived Smith in March 2022 after he failed a physical.

Smith signed with the Colts in May but was waived on Aug. 1.

In Washington, Smith joins a tight end room featuring Thomas, John Bates, Cole Turner, Curtis Hodges and Brandon Dillon.