Redskins claim RB Wendell Smallwood from Eagles, highlights, scouting report

Washington will keep 5 RBs on the roster, but one has been replaced.

KD Drummond | Sep 1, 2019

Redskins claim RB Wendell Smallwood from Eagles, highlights, scouting report /

It was a short-lived time on the 53-man roster for running back Byron Marshall. After appearing in 10 games over the last two seasons for the Washington Redskins, it appeared the back was in line for another year in the burgundy and gold after making the initial roster.

That all ended when Bruce Allen and Doug Williams perused the roster cuts of the other 31 clubs and found an interesting name in their divisional back yard. Washington has claimed the contract of released RB Wendell Smallwood, formerly of Philadelphia.

The Redskins had a busy day Sunday. They claimed running back Wendell Smallwood off waivers and released running back Byron Marshall. Smallwood is more of a first- and second-down back who has a reputation for hitting the hole hard. He has 850 yards... https://t.co/LRD1TJyJyW
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 1, 2019

Smallwood, a sixth-round pick out of West Virginia, will join Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice, Chris Thompson and Shaun Wilson. Wilson is expected to be placed on injured reserve, opening up another roster spot.

The former Mountaineer is actually a native of the area, attending Eastern Christian Academy for high school in Maryland. He's a smaller back, but has an innate ability to stay hidden behind his offensive linemen and then making a jaunt to daylight when the hole opens up.

He had 87 carries in 2018 for 364 yards and three touchdowns, but he's also a threat in a passing game.He caught 28 of 35 targets last season and added another two scores.

Smallwood is also a good kick returner with a career 25.8 yards a return along with a touchdown back in 2016.

Healthwise, Smallwood has had two separate knee issues, causing him to miss three games in 2016 and two more in 2018. Wendell's rookie contract was in its fourth year, and Washington assumes the $720,000 base salary. As a non-vested veteran, he is not guaranteed any salary should the club part ways with him.