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The Redskins have been interested in bringing in a veteran running back for the last two seasons and former New England Patriots RB Stevan Ridley(5'11", 220 lbs, 26 years old) is the latest name on the list. Last season they reportedly would have pursued Darren Sproles if the Saints released him. Sproles was instead traded to he Philadelphia Eagles for a 5h round pick that the Redskins weren't interested in parting with. Before free agency opened this year, there were reports that the Redskins had interest in Ravens RB Justin Forsett, and Bills RB C.J. Spiller. Forsett re-signed with the Ravens and Spiller signed a 4 year deal with the New Orleans Saints.
Jay Gruden spoke about adding RB depth at the NFL Owners Meetings earlier this month, and again at an event for team suite holders. The Redskins are looking to add experienced depth behind Alfred Morris and don't have much there right now. "You can never have too many good running backs." When Gruden talks about the two running backs on the roster behind Morris he mentions good things about both. But he also brings up Chris Thompson's injury history and Silas Redd's inexperience.
Last week, ESPN's John Keim reported that the Redskins had expressed interest in former New Orleans Saints RB Pierre Thomas. There haven't been any reported visits between Thomas and the team, but they have talked. Now ESPN's Mike Reiss has reported Stevan Ridley will be visiting the team today. Ridley was taken in the 3rd round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of LSU. In 4 seasons with the Patriots, Ridley has 2,817 rushing yards, 22 rushing TDs, 146 receiving yards with 0 receiving TDs. Almost half of his rushing yards and TDs came during the 2012 season when he ran for 1,263 yards and 12 TDs. Ridley had a reputation with the Patriots early in his career for fumbling at the worst times, losing 6 fumbles during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. He tore his ACL and MCL in a Week 6 game(10/12/2014) vs the Bills last year that ended his season. Almost 6 months removed from the injury, Ridley is still recovering and it was reported in February that he was 4 weeks ahead of scheduling and hoping to be ready by May.
Free-agent RB Stevan Ridley visiting Redskins today, per source. Has previously visited with Dolphins and Jets.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 7, 2015
[UPDATE #1: 7:12 pm, 4/8/15] Stevan Ridley is signing with the Jets
Former #Patriots RB Stevan Ridley is signing with the #Jets, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 8, 2015
[UPDATE #2: 7:28 pm, 4/8/15] Ridley had an offer from the Redskins, but chose the Jets
New #Jets RB Stevan Ridley had offers from #Redskins & #Dolphins, among others. 1 reason for his call: Opportunity in Chan Gailey’s offense
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 8, 2015