The Washington Redskins signed a player who had a standout performance in the final preseason game as well as one of their draft picks in assembling a nine-member practice squad.
The Redskins signed fifth-round pick Matt Ioannidis, a defensive lineman, and running back Mack Brown, whose release Saturday probably would not have caused a stir if not for a 149-yard performance in the preseason finale. None of the players released by the Redskins ended up being claimed off waivers. But veteran tight end Logan Paulsen was signed by Chicago on Sunday evening.
As for the Redskins' practice squad (they still have one spot available), they also signed receivers Maurice Harris and Kendal Thompson, offensive linemen Isaiah Williams, Nila Kasitati and Vinston Painter, fullback Joe Kerridge and linebacker Lynden Trail.
Brown and Trail spent time on the Redskins' practice squad last season. Harris and Thompson pushed Rashad Ross for the sixth and final receiver position this summer. Harris has good size at 6-foot-3 and the Redskins liked his special-teams work. Thompson developed as a receiver this summer after playing quarterback in college. The Redskins wanted to keep Kerridge around even though they don't use the fullback position as much as in the past. However, they still have a need for one as they'll occasionally use the I-formation. As of now, tight end Niles Paul would serve as a fullback in a two-back set. But if Paul were to get hurt and miss subsequent games, then they could promote Kerridge from the practice squad.
Trail is intriguing because of his length at 6-foot-7. Both Williams and Kasitati are rookies who spent all of camp with Washington, while Painter was a sixth-round pick by Denver in 2013. He has appeared in four NFL games, all with Cleveland.
