Rams sign Chauncey Washington

The Rams have signed RB Chauncey Washington off the Jets' practice squad. He fills the spot made available when Dominique Curry had to be placed on IR.

The Chauncey Washington file:
25 years old, 5'11", 224

Drafted in 2008 by Jacksonville in the 7th round. He played for Dallas in 2009 and was signed off their practice squad by the Jets at the end of the season. He has just 4 career carries for 9 yards, and one reception for 9 yards, all in 2008.

2009 Preseason:
Game 1 vs. NY Giants - played, no stats
Game 2 vs. Carolina - 8 carries for 19 yards, lost a fumble
Game 3 vs. Washington - played, no stats
Game 4 vs. Philadelphia - 12 carries, 56 yards
He led the Jagwires in rushing and receiving in the 2008 preseason.

Washington played college ball at Southern Cal and led the team in rushing his final two seasons. He was academically ineligible in 2004 and was redshirted. He was academically ineligible again in 2005 and lost his scholarship. He got his grades back up in 2006 but was slowed by a hamstring injury. He had year-long problems with a stress fracture in his ankle his freshman year. He rushed for 969 yards (5.0 ypc) in 2007 and was an all-Pac 10 honorable mention despite further academic concerns and an injury that cost him the opening game. He majored in sociology.

NFL.com's report from Washington's pro day in '08: 36" vertical, 9'11" broad jump, 4.58 short shuttle, 7.53 3-cone, 18 bench presses. NFL says he ran 4.45 and 4.45 in the 40. That's impressive. Except it's apparently a typo. Countless reports say he ran a 4.35.

Scouting report: Hard runner and big hitter on special teams. Considered good special teams player, so he's probably here as much because Chris Chamberlain and Dominique Curry are hurt as he is because Steven Jackson is hurting. Has a (good kind of) chip on his shoulder because he feels he should have made the Jets' main roster. Powerful like a bigger back, shifty like a smaller back. Big and physical, can pound the ball inside but can be a good receiver out of the backfield. Wasn't thrown to often, though. Good running technique. Keeps going forward after contact. Secure ball handler. Not a slasher, marginal outside speed. Not a good instinctive runner. Won't make people miss. Has had lower leg injuries throughout his career.

Compares to: Tim Hightower, drafted a couple of rounds ahead of Chauncey in '08.

Fun fact: More interesting than fun: Chauncey's legs were paralyzed for a week when he was nine years old but doctors never figured out the cause. He says he started running faster after he got out of the hospital.

The Rams probably wouldn't have signed Washington off a practice squad had Curry not gotten hurt; now, they add on a good, needed special teams guy and nice depth at RB. Washington's measurables pretty much beat either of the other Rams backup RBs'. He not only gets back on an NFL roster, he finds a situation where he could contribute right away and have a spot in a team's future plans. He'll certainly stiffen the competition at backup RB next summer should he be here long enough. Great timing for both sides of this deal.

Photo - Fox Sports