The Washington Redskins on Wednesday announced they have re-signed offensive lineman Josh LeRibeus, who filled in at center for a majority of the 2015 season.
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-- 2016 Redskins Free Agency Journal
After playing center for the first time during his NFL career last season, the Washington Redskins are bringing back Josh LeRibeus.
LeRibeus, 26, was the 71st-overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Southern Methodist University.
He has appeared in 28 games over his four seasons with the Redskins with 12 starts.
As a rookie in 2012, LeRibeus appeared in five games at guard, including replacing an injured Kory Lichtensteiger in the regular season finale against the Dallas Cowboys when Alfred Morris rushed for a career-high 200 yards in a division-clinching victory.
The next week against the Seattle Seahawks, LeRibeus once again had to enter the game for an injured Lichtensteiger.
Despite his strong play at the end of his debut season, LeRibeus was inactive for all 16 games during the 2013 season, in part due to his playing shape.
After making necessary changes to his diet, LeRibeus returned in much better shape during the 2014 season, even starting his first career game against the New York Giants on Sept. 25.
He would finish the season with seven appearances.
As the Redskins turned the chapter to the 2015 season, new offensive line coach Bill Callahan shifted LeRibeus over to center, a move that was ultimately needed as Lichtensteiger dealt with a mid-season neck injury that resulted in a stint on short-term Injured Reserve.
LeRibeus would start 11 games during the season including the Redskins' 24-point comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the largest in franchise history, along with the team's four-game winning streak to end the year.
"I love it here," LeRibeus said at the end of the season. "So that's No. 1, but we'll see what happens. But definitely got a lot of experience with Callahan helped a lot and looking forward to what the future holds."
With LeRibeus returning, the Redskins have a player that can add depth at the guard position and also take snaps at center again if needed.
"Josh is a very good player to have," Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said. "He did a great job filling in and he's good. He can play both guard spots and center, very versatile lineman, so he's a great guy to have up on game day."
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