WASHINGTON (AFP) — The injury-hit Washington Redskins bolstered their backfield Tuesday by signing former National Football League Most Valuable Player Shaun Alexander.
Alexander, a three-time Pro Bowl running back, was released by the Seattle Seahawks in April after battling injuries the past two seasons. Since then he had received little interest from other teams.
But he could be a tonic for the Redskins, who will likely use him as backup behind star running back Clinton Portis.
Alexander arguably was the NFL's most productive running back over a five-year span from 2001-05, rushing for at least 1,175 yards and scoring at least 16 touchdowns every season.
Alexander enjoyed the best season of his career in 2005, when he ran for 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns, an NFL single-season record at the time.
He inked an eight-year, 62 million-dollar contract that made him the richest running back in NFL history, but battled injury during the 2006 season. In that campaign he rushed for 896 yards while missing six games with a broken foot.
Alexander played in 13 games - 10 starts - last season, rushing for just 716 yards and four touchdowns while battling an injured wrist.
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