The Washington Redskins signed veteran receiver Todd Pinkston before yesterday’s practice, but coach Joe Gibbs said it’s not an indication the team is fed up with Brandon Lloyd and his lingering shin splints.
“We’re always concerned when they miss [time]” Gibbs said. “He’s got to be able to run on the other field with the trainers before we get him back into practice. You don’t like it, but that’s where we are.”
Lloyd, who had only 23 catches (and no touchdowns) last year, missed his first practice Aug. 2 and did not play in Saturday’s game at Tennessee.
Pinkston, 30, missed the 2005 season with a torn Achilles tendon and was out of football last year. He had 184 catches for 2,816 yards and 14 touchdowns in five seasons with Philadelphia. He was released by the Eagles on Aug. 31, signed with Minnesota and was released five days later.
Pinkston, who lives near quarterback Jason Campbell in Hattiesburg, Miss., was training in Orlando, Fla., when he was contacted by the Redskins on Sunday night. He worked out for the team yesterday morning and participated in the last half of practice.
“We had somebody [Kyle Brown] that we felt would have a tough time making the team, so we decided it was a good time to bring someone else in,” Gibbs said.
The team released Brown, a rookie free agent, and injured defensive tackle Vaka Manupuna and also signed defensive tackle Matthias Askew, who played six games for Cincinnati from 2004 to 2005.
Pinkston may be best known by Redskins fans for a pass he didn’t dive for during a game in 2004 and being criticized by ESPN’s Joe Theismann for having “alligator arms.” Theismann will provide commentary for the Redskins’ game Saturday against Pittsburgh.
Pinkston’s best season was 2002, when he had 60 catches for 798 yards and seven touchdowns.
“It was frustrating to sit out [last year] when I had been playing the game so long,” he said. “I just want a chance to display my talent, and Washington has given me that opportunity.”
Montgomery sprains MCL
Defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery was limited to the stationary bike yesterday and said afterward he sustained a sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee against Tennessee. It’s a setback for Montgomery, who is competing with Joe Salave’a, Ryan Boschetti and Lorenzo Alexander for a reserve spot.
“I felt like I was having a better overall camp this year, and I’m feeling better about the system,” Montgomery said. “Last year’s camp was a struggle, but I know now that every day I come out to the field I have to work hard because the film doesn’t lie.”
Portis still out
In addition to Montgomery and Lloyd, five players sat out practice: running back Clinton Portis (knee), left tackle Chris Samuels (knee), left guard Todd Wade (shoulder), receiver Antwaan Randle El (quadriceps) and tight end Tyler Ecker (groin). Gibbs said Randle El’s injury is a minor strain.
Cornerback Jerametrius Butler (hamstring) returned to practice after not playing Saturday night. Alexander (facial contusion) and defensive end Jamaal Green (stinger) were injured against the Titans but practiced yesterday.
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