As the dust settles on the flurry of activity that closed out the 2009 league year and officially dropped the ball on the 2010 offseason, there are two developments in D.C. that require further comment.
Per a league source, the departures of running back Ladell Betts and tackle Chris Samuels officially came with the designation of “failed physical.”
The end result is the same -- neither guy is on the team. But it wasn’t a traditional release of Betts, and it was anything but a traditional retirement for Samuels.
Indeed, Samuels technically is a free agent. Thus, if at some point he decides to make a comeback, he would be able to sign with any team.
Typically, teams place retired players on the Reserve-Retired list, holding their rights indefinitely.
That said, the chances of Samuels playing again are remote; the retirement was caused by a neck injury that by all appearances prevents him from returning.