NFL Notebook | Redskins release Shaun Alexander after 5 games

WASHINGTON — The Washington Redskins on Tuesday released former Seattle running back Shaun Alexander, who got only 11 carries in five games.

The 2005 NFL MVP with the Seahawks, Alexander signed with Washington on Oct. 14 after backup RB Ladell Betts suffered a knee injury. But with Betts back in the lineup recently and the team concerned about injuries along the defensive line, Alexander was let go.

Washington re-signed DT Ryan Boschetti in an effort to bolster the defensive line. Boschetti rejoined the team he originally signed with as an undrafted free agent from UCLA in 2004.

Alexander had gained 24 yards on 11 rushes in five games with the team. Slowed by injuries after his career-best 2005 season in which he scored a then-record 27 rushing touchdowns, 28 touchdowns overall and had an NFL-leading 1,880 yards rushing, Alexander, 31, was out of the league the first six weeks of this season.

Alexander was trying to make a comeback after foot and wrist injuries ruined his last two seasons and prompted the Seahawks to cut him in April.

But in limited carries with Washington, the 31-year-old back never showed anything close to the form that helped him rush for 1,880 yards in his 2005 MVP season.

Alexander had a 2.2-yard average and didn't play at all in the win over the Seahawks, even though he was returning to the stadium where he earned his fame as well as his fortune — in the form of an eight-year, $62 million contract signed after his MVP year.

Boschetti played 19 games with two starts for Washington from 2004 to 2007. He was among the final cuts at the end of this year's preseason.

Notes

• It was one year ago today that Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor of Washington was shot at his Miami-area home during a botched robbery; he died of massive blood loss a day later. Taylor will be inducted into the team's Ring of Fame on Sunday before the game against the visiting New York Giants.

• Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Ryan Lilja will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

• Bruce Smith, the NFL's career sack leader, and versatile defensive back Rod Woodson are among the four first-time eligibles who made the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The other two are tight end Shannon Sharpe and defensive end John Randle, who finished his career as a Seahawk (2001-03), on a list that will be reduced to 15 before the final vote Jan. 31 in Tampa, Fla., the day before the Super Bowl.

• Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner said he will wait until January before deciding on the future of coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Phil Savage.

• Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter apologized to his teammates and coach Tony Sparano during a team meeting Monday for refusing to leave the field in Sunday's loss to the Patriots. On New England's final drive, Porter was flagged for unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct in a span of three plays. Sparano and defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni shouted at Porter to come off the field, but he ignored their pleas and sent his replacement, Charlie Anderson, back to the sideline.