ASHBURN, Va.—The Washington Redskins’ list of player moves and injuries was so long Wednesday that coach Mike Shanahan, who prides himself on his good memory, decided to bring notes with him to address reporters after practice.
The Redskins have made 11 roster-related moves this week. The latest: Tackle Tyler Polumbus joined the 53-man roster, while tight end Fendi Onobun and cornerback Brandyn Thompson were added to the practice squad.
Washington has also signed receiver David Anderson, defensive end Kentwan Balmer and defensive back Domonique Johnson and waived receiver Donte’ Stallworth, tight end Dominique Byrd and defensive end Darrion Scott. Thompson was also waived on Tuesday, and his demotion to the practice squad is the 11th transaction involving the rookie seventh-round draft pick this year. Running back Tristan Davis was cut from the practice squad.
Polumbus is needed as insurance in case right tackle Jammal Brown can’t play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Brown missed the end of the loss to San Francisco and did not practice Wednesday because of a groin injury.
“If he misses plays during a game, you know it’s fairly serious,” Shanahan said, “because he normally doesn’t miss plays.”
Polumbus was cut by Seattle last month. He previously played two seasons in Denver under Shanahan and has appeared in 51 NFL games, including 15 starts.
Anderson supplies depth as the Redskins deal with injuries to Santana Moss (broken hand) and Niles Paul (turf toe). He is familiar with the offensive scheme, having played in Houston under current Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
Balmer is an intriguing addition. He was a first-round draft pick by San Francisco in 2008 but found himself out of work after Carolina cut him before the start of this season.
“That was real humbling for me,” he said. “I feel like I’ve finally got my priorities straight, and it took this time off—sadly to say—for that to happen.”
Those priorities, he said, included learning to be “more of a pro.”
“Staying in better shape, and just focusing all the time on this game. … I eliminated a lot of the distractions in my life,” he said.
Shanahan said he thinks Balmer still has a lot of potential.
“Hopefully he comes in here and does what he’s supposed to do,” the coach said. “If he does, great. If he doesn’t, he won’t be here long.”
Moss and Paul are the only players ruled out for Sunday. Also not practicing Wednesday were safety Oshiomogho Atogwe (toe, knee), linebacker Keyaron Fox (skin infection), safety LaRon Landry (Achilles tendon) and linebacker Markus White (illness).
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