Washington Redskins OT Selvish Capers was released today
As the Washington Redskins continue to reduce their roster down to 53 men, it has been reported that rookie offensive tackle Selvish Capers, safety Tyrone Carter and wide receiver Shay Hodge have been released.
Additionally, offensive lineman Kory Lichtensteiger and wide receiver Brandon Banks will most likely remain in the burgundy and gold.
Capers was drafted by the Redskins in the seventh round (231st overall) this year out of West Virginia. By drafting for need, it was thought that Capers could provide depth on an offensive line which seriously needed it. But the rookie struggled during the preseason and head coach Mike Shanahan must feel he can find the depth somewhere else. ESPN980′s Chris Russell reports that Capers will most likely be added to the practice squad and it would not be a stretch to think he might end up back on the active roster at some point.
Veteran safety Tyrone Carter signed very recently on August 23. But coaches must feel confident that Chris Horton and Reed Doughty’s can adequately back up LaRon Landry and Kareem Moore, even with Moore being out of action with an injury. Carter acquired two Super Bowl rings while playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2004 to 2009 and would have provided knowledge as well as experience in defensive coordinator Jim Haslett’s 3-4 defense.
Shay Hodge was signed by the Redskins on May 17, 2010 as an undrafted rookie free agent. His name was not one heard much during the off-season but his college career was very successful. In his four years at Mississippi, he was the all-time leading receiver in school history with 2,646 receiving yards. The 6’2″, 207 lbs. wide out earned first-team All-SEC honors last year after catching 70 passes for 1,135 yards and a team-high eight touchdown catches.
In addition to the players released, reports have surfaced that both offensive lineman Kory Lichtensteiger and wide receiver Brandon Banks will remain on the roster.
Banks’ signing could have gone either way. The 5’7″, 150 lbs. speed demon has become somewhat of a phenomenon in the league and has captured the hearts of many fans. He has an explosiveness that is hard to find in the average player but is even more intriguing due to his small stature. However, he has had his share of problems with fumbling and coaches must feel they can help him work through it.
Banks signed with the Redskins on May 17, 2010 as an undrafted rookie free agent and immediately made an impact in the preseason when he ran a punt return back 77 yards for a touchdown in the game against the Buffalo Bills. He will be valuable to the team as a return specialist as well as wide receiver and the fans will love that he’s on the team.
Lichtensteiger saw playing time on Friday night against the Cardinals and fared adequately. He is a very athletic lineman, something to which offensive line coach Chris Foerster is partial. The two-year man was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round (108th overall) in 2008 so Shanahan has some experience with him. The Bowling Green State graduate played 16 games with the Broncos and also played on special teams as an H-back in goal-line situations. Lichtensteiger spent a short amount of time in 2009 with the Minnesota Vikings before being waived and signed with the Redskins as an unrestricted free agent on Jan. 14, 2010.
