NFL News and Views

The Washington Redskins have moved to stabilise their injury-depleted backfield, signing former NFL Most Valuable Player Shaun Alexander on Tuesday.

Alexander had received little interest from other teams since being released by the Seattle Seahawks this past off-season, but could provide a boost for the Redskins.

With backup Ladell Betts expected to miss two weeks with a sprained left knee, Washington needed help in the backfield.

Alexander likely will be used as back-up behind star running back Clinton Portis.

Alexander, 31, was released by the Seahawks last April following two injury-marred campaigns.

The three-time Pro Bowler was not invited to training camp by any of the NFL's 31 other teams this summer and remained jobless six weeks into this season.

Alexander arguably was the NFL's most productive running back over a five-year stretch from 2001-05, rushing for at least 1,175 yards and scoring at least 16 touchdowns every season during that stint.

Alexander capped that run in 2005 with the best season of his career when he ran for 1,880 yards and 27 TDs, an NFL single-season record at the time.

But after signing an eight-year,

62 million contract which made him the richest running back in NFL history, Alexander struggled with injuries during the 2006 campaign, rushing for 896 yards while missing six games to nurse a broken foot.

The all-time rushing leader in Seahawks franchise history, Alexander appeared in 13 games - 10 starts - last season, rushing for just 716 yards and four touchdowns while battling an injured wrist.

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