Kentwan Balmer, center, has missed the last two days of practice. (John McDonnell/THE WASHINGTON POST)
Update: 6:20 p.m.: Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said the team still has not had any contact with Balmer, who signed midway through last season, or his agent.
“Haven’t found anything out yet. If you get a hold of him, let me know,” Shanahan said. “You’re always concerned. You’re just hoping he’s OK. He cleared everything out of the hotel, and that usually means, at least from my past experience, is that the guy doesn’t want to play football anymore.”
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Defensive end Kentwan Balmer was not at Redskins Park for a second straight day. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Wednesday evening that Balmer’s absence was unexcused, and at that time the coach didn’t know why Balmer wasn’t at practice, or where he was.
“Hopefully it’s nothing very serious,” Shanahan said.
Balmer, once a promising prospect out of University of North Carolina, has gone AWOL before during his career. In August of 2010, he left San Francisco’s camp without being excused, and he was later traded by the 49ers.
Redskins defensive end Stephen Bowen said he hadn’t spoken with Balmer since his departure, but he was disturbed by the fifth-year pro’s absence. Balmer’s agent didn’t reply to inquiries about his client’s whereabouts.
Last season, running back James Davis walked out of Washington’s training camp and was later released. He has not caught on with another team.
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