Redskins Claim OT Xavier Nixon Off Waivers From the Colts

Offensive tackle Xavier Nixon(6'6", 330 lbs) has returned to the Washington Redskins after being released by the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday.  Nixon was originally signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent from Florida after the 2013 draft.  Nixon was waived at final cutdowns in August, but he was signed to the practice squad the next day. The Colts signed him to their roster a few weeks later, and he has been with the team for the last two seasons.  He's spent time on the Colt's practice squad, but has also started 2 of the 8 games that he was active. Nixon was inactive at the end of the season when the Colts were in the playoffs, and missed the flight to play the New England Patriots. Nixon will be an exclusive rights free agent when the new league year starts in March.

This is the 3rd offensive lineman that the Redskins have signed or claimed this week, and also the third player signed to the team since Scot McCloughan was officially named the new GM of the Washington Redskins on January, 9th.  Tyler Larsen(6'4", 315 lbs) and Ty Nsekhe(6'8", 325 lbs) represent a shift in the type and size of the players that are being brought in for the offensive line.  Gruden is expected to shift to more of a power running scheme and increase the size on the line.

None of these players are guaranteed to be anything more than camp competition, but Larsen was considered a good late round prospect in last year's draft, and Nixon has starting experience in the league.  Starting Right Guard Chris Chester could be a cap casualty this year, and the team could use cheap depth and competition going forward.

#Redskins claimed OT Xavier Nixon off waivers from the #Colts.

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) February 13, 2015

The Colts cut Nixon this the week. He did not play well for them in the four games he appeared in this season, including one start, and then missed the team flight to New England for the AFC Championship Game. Nixon missed time this past season after having knee surgery in training camp; he was placed on injured reserve/designated return and came back in November. - John Keim