National Football League

RG3, plus 3 more: Redskins keep 4 QBs on roster

Published Aug. 31, 2013 11:51 p.m. ET

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RG3, plus three more.

The Washington Redskins are keeping four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster.

Pat White, who this year returned to the NFL after a detour through baseball, made the cut Saturday when the team trimmed its roster at the league's deadline.

He joins Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins and Rex Grossman as the QBs for the reigning NFC East champions.

In training camp, White looked like a rusty quarterback who hasn't played in the NFL since 2009, the year he was a second-round draft pick by the Miami Dolphins.

He played better in preseason games, and he provides an extra bit of insurance with both Griffin (knee) and Cousins (foot) coming off injuries.

There's no doubt White can run, but his ability as a passer remains an open question. He played the entire fourth preseason game Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, completing 13 of 22 passes for 181 yards in a game that included few regular starters. He also had an interception returned for a touchdown.

White rushed for three touchdowns in preseason, but he didn't throw a touchdown pass and was intercepted twice.

He's similar in style to Griffin, and the Redskins could be keeping him in hopes of trading him to a team interested in developing the now-in-vogue read-option attack. He could also serve as the scout team quarterback to impersonate Michael Vick ahead of the Sept. 9 opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

If there is no trade, and if Griffin and Cousins are healthy for the opener, White's time on the roster could be short.

The Redskins essentially have two extra spots for the first four weeks of the season while linebacker Rob Jackson and defensive lineman Jarvis Jenkins serve drugs-related suspensions.

The 53-man roster is thin along the offensive line. In addition to the five starters, the Redskins kept three backups - none of whom have started an NFL game.

The Redskins made a total of 23 roster moves.

They cut nose tackle Ron Brace; defensive ends Chigbo Anunoby and Dominique Hamilton; linebackers Marvin Burdette, Vic So'oto and Will Compton; receivers Skye Dawson, Nick Williams, and Lance Lewis; safety DeJon Gomes; running back Jawan Jamison; center Kevin Matthews; cornerback Chase Minnifield; tackles Tony Pashos and Xavier Nixon; tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi and offensive lineman Tevita Stevens.

Receiver Desmond Briscoe was waived with an injury designation, while running back Keiland Williams was released with an injury settlement. Offensive lineman Maurice Hurt was moved to the reserve physically unable to perform list.

The club also terminated the contract of cornerback Ryan Mouton from injured reserve and waived linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy from injured reserve list with an injury settlement. Running back Tristan Davis was waived from the exempt-left squad list.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org

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