With free agency starting up, unrestricted free agents fullback Rob Kelley and nose tackle Terrance Knighton said on Monday that they will not be brought back by the Redskins.
Two key contributors set to become free agents will not be returning to the Washington Redskins, as both fullback Darrel Young and nose tackle Terrance Knighton tweeted on Monday that they will be searching for new teams.
Young's seven-year run with the Redskins was unsuspected considering he started his career as an undrafted linebacker in 2009 before being waived later in the year. He would have a short stint on the practice squad to start that season before being released after two and a half weeks.
Returning in 2010, only this time as a fullback, Young would eventually stick and even replace veteran Mike Sellers in the lineup. He would record his first career touchdown on Nov. 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles, grabbing a three-yard touchdown reception.
During the 2012 season, Young was instrumental in the Redskins' league-best rushing attack, as he was Trent Williams' lead blocker during a season in which the then-rookie would set the franchise single-season rushing record with 1,613 yards.
In 2013, Young appeared in 13 games, carrying the ball 12 times for 41 yards and three touchdowns while also tallying four receptions for 71 yards which included a career-long 62-yard catch for a touchdown.
Young's three rushing touchdowns all came against the San Diego Chargers in an overtime victory that ended with a four-yard touchdown run from the fullback.
The Villanova product got off to a hot start during the 2014 season, as he logged a touchdown in each of the Redskins' first three games while also being honored as Redskins Walter Payton Man of the Year.
While his role decreased on offensive in 2015, Young was key for a young special teams unit, especially considering other key special teamers like Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen were lost for the season.
He led the team in special teams snaps with 310.
Where the Redskins go with his roster spot is unclear right now, especially with today's NFL going away from teams needing a traditional fullback
Check out the top 10 photos of Terrance Knighton from the 2015 season.
"It's a position that really not a lot of teams use nowadays, but there is still a need for it – goal-line situations, short-yardage obviously, then, first- and second-down stuff with the play actions and the running game," Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said at the end of the season.
Knighton, meanwhile, will be searching for a new home for the 2016 season after one season with the Redskins.
Knighton tweeted the following Monday afternoon:
In his one season with the Redskins, the Temple product amassed 29 tackles (five for loss) along with six quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks.
Signed by the Redskins last offseason as part of their defensive line overhaul along with Stephen Paea and Ricky Jean Francois, Knighton served as the team's top run stopper up the middle.
He recorded a season-high six tackles against the New York Giants in Week 3.
"I feel like I can contribute to a team," Knighton said during exit interviews following the Redskins' Wild Card Round loss to the Green Bay Packers. "A lot of people look at the numbers, but I've been a 32-tackle, two- or three-sack guy my whole career, so hopefully someone else still needs a run stuffer."
The Redskins are now in the market for a new starting nose tackle.
Chris Baker has played in the spot before, but Washington may also look to the draft for a potential long-term fit at the position.
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