Redskins sign Alexander
ASHBURN, Va. — Former league MVP Shaun Alexander signed with the Washington Redskins on Tuesday, part of a flurry of roster activity in which the team ditched its punter, shuffled its safeties and displayed coach Jim Zorn’s strong ties to his Seattle Seahawks roots.
Alexander, unemployed since being cut by the Seahawks in April, signed a one-year deal to back up NFL leading rusher Clinton Portis. Portis’ usual backup, Ladell Betts, sprained his knee in Sunday’s 19-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams and is expected to be sidelined two to four weeks.
The Redskins also cut sixth-round draft pick Durant Brooks, who ranks last in the league in punting, and replaced him with former Seattle punter Ryan Plackemeier. Plackemeier won a competition among four free agents flown in to audition at Redskins Park on Tuesday morning.
Reed Doughty, the Redskins’ starting strong safety at the end of training camp, had his season end when he was placed on injured reserve with a nerve problem. To replace Doughty, the Redskins added yet another former Seattle player, safety Mike Green.
