Washington, DC (Best E Casino) - The Washington Redskins added former MVP running back Shaun Alexander to serve as a backup to Clinton Portis on Tuesday.

Alexander, 31, was on the free agent market after being waived by the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason. He is expected to practice with Washington on Wednesday and his status for Sunday's game against Cleveland is unknown.

The signing came at a crucial time for Washington, as backup running back Ladell Betts is expected to miss two-to-four weeks with a sprained knee suffered in Sunday's 19-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

Alexander earned the NFL's MVP award after the 2005 season in which he rushed for 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns. After leading Seattle to Super Bowl XL, Alexander struggled through two injury-plagued seasons, rushing for only 1,612 yards and 11 touchdowns combined in 2006 and 2007.

In eight NFL seasons, the Alabama product has 100 rushing touchdowns, a 4.3 yards-per-carry average and 9,429 rushing yards, good for 25th all-time. He has also logged 214 catches for 1,511 yards and 12 TDs.

Washington also added another former Seahawk in punter Ryan Plackemeier, who will take over the punting duties from Durant Brooks.

Plackemeier spent three seasons in Seattle and was released from the club after Week 1 this season. The Wake Forest product has a 42.3-yard average with a long of 72 yards in 181 career punts.

Brooks struggled in his first NFL season, compiling the league's worst yard (39.6) and net (32.1) averages before being waived with an injury settlement due to a quadriceps injury.

In even more Redskins news, defensive back Mike Green was added to the roster after safety Reed Doughty (back) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday and the team released safety Justin Hamilton.