Redskins release WR Stallworth
The Washington Redskins waived veteran wide receiver Donte' Stallworth and fullback Eric Kettani, a Naval officer who was recently promoted to Lieutenant.
The Redskins signed Stallworth in June, but the team has five receivers all but guaranteed roster spots in Pierre Garcon, Josh Morgan, Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson and Leonard Hankerson. If Washington decides to keep a sixth wideout, Dez Briscoe is likely to get that spot.
Robinson is one of 14 players who participated in punt return drills Monday as the Redskins look for a replacement for injured Richard Crawford. Head coach Mike Shanahan even called Robinson's coach at SMU, June Jones, to discuss the receiver's return skills.
Stallworth dropped the only pass thrown to him in Saturday's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. In the opener against the Tennessee Titans, he caught two passes for 33 yards.
The former first round draft pick has only 25 catches in the last three years. Stallworth, 32, could be facing the end of his career. He has 321 receptions for 4,837 yards with 35 touchdowns since debuting for the New Orleans Saints in 2002. He has played for seven NFL teams in his career.
"He had a hamstring injury. Anytime you get set back and you are missing a couple of weeks, it's really hard to make a football team when you can't go out there as a veteran and show what you can do," said Shanahan. "Donte has always been a guy that has been a standup guy. He's not only played the wide receiver position well as a receiver, but he's blocked well. He's wanted to help on special teams, but you could see with the setback with his hamstring he just wasn't ready."
Kettani was a longshot to make the team. Washington already has Darrel Young as its starter and the tight ends can also play fullback if needed.
Kettani averaged 5.4 yards per carry for Navy. He graduated from the academy in 2009.
Others players released included: linebacker Ricky Elmore, kicker John Potter, wide receiver Chip Reeves and linebacker Quan Sturdivant.
Crawford and linebacker Jeremy Kimbrough were waived/injured and will be placed on injured reserve if they clear waivers. Linebacker Keenan Robinson and safety Phillip Thomas were placed on injured reserve and will miss the 2013 season.
Shanahan said Crawford had damage to his ACL, LCL and MCL ligaments and is facing a nine-month recovery.
--Safety Brandon Meriweather, who continues to recover from knee surgery, will play in the final preseason game at Tampa Bay, Shanahan said.
--Quarterback Kirk Cousins will be "a long shot" to play against the Bucs as he recovers from his foot injury, according to Shanahan.
