Redskins release Larry Johnson

With Clinton Portis looking somewhat revitalized this season now that he is teaming with coach Mike Shanahan again, the Washington Redskins decided they no longer have a need for Larry Johnson.

The veteran running back was released today after carrying the ball five times for two yards in the team’s first two games.

“We appreciate Larry’s attitude and contributions to the Redskins,” general manager Bruce Allen said in a statement released by the team. “However, we needed to make a roster move in preparation for this week’s game against the Rams.”

It was a surprise that the Redskins carried Portis, Johnson and another aging veteran, Willie Parker, in training camp. The team needs to get younger and this is probably a step in that direction. Johnson, 30, is four years removed from his last 1,000-yard season. He signed on with the Cincinnati Bengals last season after the Kansas City Chiefs had released him.

The Redskins had Chad Simpson in for a tryout today and signed the veteran running back and return man according to the NFP’s Aaron Wilson.

Portis has been effective in the red zone for the Redskins, but the ground game has not produced the kind of results Shanahan was accustomed to in Denver.

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