The Redskins signed seven players to their practice squad on Sunday afternoon, including linebacker Robert McCune, the team's fifth-round draft choice last April, and newcomer Christian Morton, a cornerback who worked out for team officials on Saturday morning.
The Redskins still have one spot on the practice squad to fill to reach the maximum number of eight. The practice squad currently consists of the following players:
- Jonathan Alston, OL
- Jonathan Combs, RB
- Robert Johnson, TE
- Aki Jones, DL
- Robert McCune, LB
- Christian Morton, CB
- Rich Parson, WR
Morton, 6-0 and 180 pounds, is a first-year player who played his college ball at Illinois. He was a seventh-round draft choice by the New England Patriots in 2004. He later caught on with the Atlanta Falcons and played in two games in the regular season, recording two tackles.
Due to injuries to the Falcons' secondary, Morton was pressed into duty in the postseason and played in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
This preseason, Morton was among the Falcons' cuts on Aug. 26.
The signing of McCune to the practice squad was expected. The 6-1, 245-pound middle linebacker showed promise during training camp, but he still needed to develop his skills on defense and special teams before he could be counted on as a contributor.
McCune, 26, spent four years in the U.S. National Guard and was stationed in Kuwait and Korea. After his tour of duty, he attended Louisville and was a walk-on on the football team. Last season, he recorded 115 tackles, two sacks and an interception.
Alston is a 6-5, 306-pound lineman who can play both guard and tackle. At South Carolina last year, Alston started 10 of 11 games and helped pave the way for Gamecocks' running backs to compile 1,856 rushing yards and a 4.0-yard rushing average.
Combs was an undrafted rookie, out of Texas College. In the preseason, he logged two carries for eight yards and caught two passes for 40 yards. He also fumbled once, leading to his release.
Johnson was signed by the Redskins in early August, after training camp had started. The 6-6, 278-pounder adds size and strength to the offense and is a natural blocking tight end. In preseason action, he caught two passes for 26 yards. Johnson played with Redskins' quarterback Jason Campbell at Auburn.
Jones, a 6-5, 280-pound defensive lineman, was an undrafted rookie out of Fordham who impressed Redskins coaches with his high motor. He was second-team All-Patriot League last year at Fordham, recording 32 tackles and a team-high five sacks.
Parson is a University of Maryland product who showed promise as a speedy kick return specialist during the preseason. The undrafted rookie logged five kickoff returns for a 27.6-yard average and seven punt returns for a 4.1-yard average.
