Tim Hightower Drawing Interest from Redskins and Giants

Per Mike Jones of The Washington Post, running back Tim Hightower is drawing interest from both the Redskins and the Giants.

Jones reported that the extent of the Redskins interest is unclear at this time, and that the Giants were in talks with the 26-year-old running back earlier in May.

Hightower's last stint with the Redskins was brief, but he showed promise in the earlygoings of the 2011 season and handled an every-down back role until he tore his ACL in Week 5. Hightower returned to action in the preseason of 2012, but knee did not respond well after the team's third preseason game, and he was ultimately released.

Should the Redskins bring him back, he would join what's now a crowded, but open, corps of running backs. Alfred Morris is the starter and feature-back, there's zero question about that.

But after Morris, there's uncertainty. Roy Helu, Jr. is coming off foot surgery, and rookie Chris Thompson is also returning from a torn ACL. Hightower would also battle for a spot with Evan Royster, rookie Jawan Jamison, Keiland Williams and Tristan Davis.

As for the Giants, their backfield situation is crowded itself, with David Wilson and Andre Brown fighting for the starting spot. Behind them is Da'Rel Scott, former Redskin Ryan Torain and undrafted free agent Michael Cox.

If Hightower is healthy, he could contribute as a versatile pass-blocking back with the ability to catch passes out of the backfield. That has value to any team, although in the case of the Redskins and Giants, better options may have beaten Hightower to the punch.