The Redskins have signed second-year safety Ben Emanuel, the team announced on Tuesday. To make room for Emanuel, the team released safety Dennard Wilson.
Emanuel, 6-2 and 213 pounds, was with the San Francisco 49ers at the start of 2006 training camp but was released by the team last week.
He spent most of the 2005 season with the 49ers and, as a rookie, appeared in 11 games with eight starts. For the season, he recorded 43 tackles (33 solo), one sack, one interception and three pass deflections.
"It feels wonderful to be here," said Emanuel, who played with Andre Carter and Brandon Lloyd in San Francisco last year. "I'm grateful that they gave me a shot. I'm excited for the opportunity."
Emanuel is expected to add to the depth at safety in preseason. The team has Sean Taylor, Adam Archuleta and Pierson Prioleau as the primary safeties on the roster. Emanual joins rookie draft pick Reed Doughty as safeties in the Redskins' defensive backfield.
Emanuel entered the league as a fifth-round (171st overall) draft pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2005. He was released by the Panthers in August, but later signed to the practice squad.
He was released again in September 2005 and signed with the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. He was activated to San Francisco's 53-man roster in October.
Emanuel played college ball at UCLA. He will wear jersey No. 39 for the Redskins.
