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The Redskins needed to make 14 roster moves today to get down to 53 players before the 4 PM deadline, and the news has started coming in early. The team has the option of placing Leonard Hankerson and Stephen Bowen on the PUP list, and Chris Neild on IR which would leave them with 11 moves left. The first move today was cutting oft-injured RB Chris Thompson, who again was having injury issues this offseason, but was able to play in the last preseason game.
Breaking News: #redskins have cut RB Chris Thompson I have confirmed. #greatkid @DiChesebrough @Rich_TandlerCSN @TarikCSN @DaveOwenssports
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) August 30, 2014
Shortly after the Thompson news broke, ESPN's John Keim reported that 6th round rookie RB Lache Seastrunk was also released. The message of the week has been Speed Kills, and it was assumed that this would save one of these two RBs. It's a little surprising to see both of them cut, but they have practice squad eligibility and one of them should end up there.
Lache Seastrunk says via text that he was released. #redskins
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 30, 2014
Evan Royster was also released. This isn't exactly surprising as Royster is a pretty average running back, but the team did like his versatility. These three releases leave undrafted FA Silas Redd as the lone survivor at the bottom of the RB depth chart. He's shown a lot of good traits during camp and the preseason games, and he had a lot of support from his teammates. The other RBs left on the team were almost locks going in with Alfred Morris set as starter and Darrel Young set as the fullback. There were early questions about Roy Helu, Jr.'s spot, but they seemed to go away quickly when camp started.
Evan Royster has been released, too.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) August 30, 2014