The Redskins have signed long snapper James Dearth, the team announced on Sunday.
Dearth was at Redskins Park on Sunday and he participated in his first Redskins practice.
Dearth, a 10-year veteran, immediately steps into a competition with first-year long snapper Nick Sundberg for the Redskins' job.
Sundberg appeared to perform well in last Friday night's 42-17 preseason win over the Buffalo Bills, but he has struggled at times during training camp.
"We thought [Dearth] would be the best person to enhance our competition at that spot," head coach Mike Shanahan said.
Dearth, 6-4 and 265 pounds, has played in 146 games over 10 seasons since entering the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 1999.
From 2001-09, Dearth served as the long snapper for the New York Jets. He also registered 32 special teams tackles during that span.
In 2001, Dearth caught three passes for 10 yards and a touchdown while playing tight end for the Jets,
Dearth played college football at Tarleton State in Stephenville, Tex. He was born in Fort Ord, Calif.
