Benched Redskins tight end Fred Davis says he's 'nodded off' in meetings

Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis said Wednesday he's "nodded off" during meetings, but he said it's something every player does.

He also said he wishes the Redskins had traded him this week if he's not going to be a part of the team's plans for the rest of the season.

"I like it here. I was drafted here," Davis said. "But at the end of the day, I just want to play. If I can't play here, then I did want to play somewhere else."

Davis has been inactive for the last two games, having fallen behind rookie Jordan Reed as the team's top pass-catching tight end. The 2008 second-round draft pick has talent, but his career has been hindered by injuries and a four-game suspension in 2011 for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

There have also been persistent questions about Davis' work ethic and his ability to focus during meetings, starting from the day he overslept and missed a minicamp practice as a rookie.

"I've never slept through a whole meeting, but I've nodded off," he said. "Everyone nods off. It's dark in there. You're watching film, you nod off, you wake up, get something to drink, go back. I've done that. Everybody's done that."

Davis' inactivity is costing him money. He re-signed with the Redskins for a one-year deal, hoping to parlay a big season into a hefty multiyear contract in free agency next year. There's also a clause that will deny him a bonus if he's inactive for a certain number of games this year, which he said "probably" has something to do with his recent benching.

"It's a business, so I'm sure that plays a factor," he said.

Coach Mike Shanahan said he wasn't aware of the clause in Davis' contract. The coach said he has purposely avoided learning about his players' contract incentives since coming to the Redskins.

"I keep away from those things," Shanahan said. "I don't make decisions based on that."

Shanahan and Davis talked things over before Wednesday's practice.

"I let him know that I expected him to practice at a certain level and have his mind ready to play in the game," Shanahan said. "And you never know when that situation's going to occur."

Davis was curious as to whether he would be shipped to another team before Tuesday's trade deadline, but there's not much market for a player who will be a free agent in just a few months. He said he's trying to be a good teammate so that other teams will want to sign him next year, but he's obviously frustrated that he's not getting a chance to help a team that's 2-5.

"If I was on another team and they needed a tight end," Davis said, "it would be seen what I can do. ... I know there's plays out there that I can make."

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