Redskins sign Randall Godfrey
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by NYJets201
According to NFL.com the Washington Redskins on Tuesday signed veteran linebacker Randall Godfrey and -- in a surprise move -- released versatile linebacker Lemar Marshall.
Godfrey, 34, has played for Dallas, Tennessee, Seattle and San Diego over 11 NFL seasons. He spent the last three years with the Chargers, who opted to not re-sign him this off-season after calf and hamstring injuries hampered him late in 2006.
Godfrey was a second-round draft pick by Dallas in 1996. He has played in 159 games with 145 starts and has 17 sacks, 17 forced fumbles and six interceptions. He will be reunited in Washington with assistant coach Gregg Williams, who was Tennessee's defensive coordinator when Godfrey played with in the Titans in 2000.
The Redskins are looking for help at linebacker after Washington dislocated his right elbow in Saturday's preseason game against Pittsburgh. Washington is expected to be sidelined at least a couple of weeks, leaving his status for the Sept. 9 season opener uncertain.
Godfrey replaces Marshall, who was a feel-good story for several years with the Redskins. An undrafted player who bounced from team to team, Marshall signed with the Redskins in 2001 and worked his way into a starting role in 2004.
In 2005, Marshall anchored the middle of the defense as the Redskins made the playoffs for the first time in six years, but his play regressed last year, in part because of knee and ankle injuries. He lost his starting job when London Fletcher signed as a free agent this offseason but had been expected to remain on the team as a reserve.
The Redskins on Tuesday also signed receiver Jerel Myers, who spent the last two seasons with Kansas City of the Arena Football League. He replaces Mike Espy, who is out for the season with a knee injury.
