The Redskins rewarded two local players and cut two draft picks. They ended their No. 3 quarterback dual with a twist. And they kept an undrafted free agent along the offensive line, while cutting a veteran tackle.
In the end, Washington cut 22 players to get to the final limit of 53 players. Among those kept: corner Byron Westbrook and running back Marcus Mason. Both had been cut each of the past two years.
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They also kept incumbent kicker Shaun Suisham over Dave Rayner. Suisham made two of three kicks this preseason; Rayner made his only attempt.
They can sign eight players to the practice squad and will do so Sunday, once they clear waivers.
Quarterback Chase Daniel was among the cuts and a source said it was uncertain if he would be signed to the practice squad. However, Daniel said in a tweet later in the day that the Redskins told him he would be considered for the practice squad.
Meanwhile, Colt Brennan was placed on injured reserve after an MRI revealed a partial torn hamstring as well as a torn labrum in his hip. He had surgery on his other hip in the spring of 2008.
“He was going to miss substantial time,” Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato said.
The Redskins also cut veteran tackle Jeremy Bridges, who had struggled at tackle during the entire training camp. They opted for Mike Williams, who battled an ankle injury, abdominal strain and was spotty in pass protection, according to league sources. Against Jacksonville, there were approximately five plays in which his man pressured the quarterback.
But the Redskins liked how Williams developed after not playing for three seasons.
“Any time he played he showed power,” Cerrato said. “This past game he played 50 snaps and maybe had one bad play, but he played well in that game. You see a big, talented guy who gets movement off the ball.”
Guard/tackle D’Anthony Batiste and undrafted center/guard Edwin Williams are among the offensive line backups, in addition to center Will Montgomery. Guard Chad Rinehart is the other reserve.
The Redskins cut two draft picks: linebacker Cody Glenn and fullback Eddie Williams. Both could be signed to the practice squad. They also cut 2008 seventh-round pick Rob Jackson, opting for veteran Renaldo Wynn as a backup defensive end. Jackson is eligible for the practice squad.
Fellow rookie linebacker Robert Henson played well in the final preseason game, as did Westbrook, and that likely sealed his spot on the roster. Westbrook is one of six corners on the roster. Third-round draft choice Kevin Barnes, who was inconsistent in the preseason and often struggled in practice, is also one of the corners.
Mason beat out speedsters Anthony Alridge and Dominique Dorsey to be the fourth running back. Cerrato said Mason clinched a berth with his touchdown run at the goal-line vs. New England’s starters. It’s uncertain what role he’ll have, if any, on game day. But he proved he could pick up tough yards. Alridge, especially, played himself off the team because of fumbles.
“He deserved to be on the team,” Cerrato said of Mason. “He answered it when … he ran the safety over and got in the end zone.”
The knock on Mason has been pass protection; he missed two blitz pickups vs. the Patriots. But Cerrato said they saw enough improvement in that area.
“He improved his game,” Cerrato said. “His pass protection was good to where we feel comfortable putting him in on third downs.”
Rookie Marko Mitchell was one of five draft choices to earn a spot. When the Redskins drafted the lanky receiver in the seventh round, Cerrato said he anticipated him eventually going on the practice squad. But Mitchell caught three touchdown passes this preseason.
“That one was pretty obvious,” Cerrato said.
Edwin Williams also came out of nowhere. The University of Maryland product showed that he could help at guard or center in a pinch. And the coaches liked Batiste’s footwork in pass protection.
