Kentwan Balmer’s absence continues to be a question mark around Redskins Park. The defensive end wasn’t in attendance Wednesday or Thursday, and coach Mike Shanahan had no more details as to Balmer’s whereabouts when asked Thursday evening.
“You’re always concerned. You’re just hoping he’s OK. He cleared everything out of the hotel and that usually means, at least my past experience, is a guy doesn’t want to play football anymore,” he said. “But that’s not always the case. So I hate to say something. All I know is we haven’t had a chance to speak with him yet.”
Shanahan called him “missing in action.” Balmer has done that before, not reporting to San Francisco 49ers camp in 2010. He was subsequently traded to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Redskins went through an AWOL situation with running back James Davis a year ago when he left the team and was released.
The 25-year-old Balmer, a first-round pick of the 49ers in 2008, appeared in just three games for the Redskins last season.
“I haven’t found anything out yet. If you get a hold of him let me know,” Shanahan said. “I’m hoping he’s OK, yeah. But we haven’t had any contact with him or his representative.”
