Redskins Defense Brings In Vincent

After six weeks of letting receivers run unfettered through the secondary, the slumping Washington Redskins addressed the problem Monday by signing five-time Pro Bowl defensive back Troy Vincent.

Vincent, whose 47 interceptions rank second among active players, was released from Buffalo’s injured reserve list last week. The 15-year veteran hurt his hamstring in the exhibition season and aggravated it in the season opener against New England, but said last week he had fully recovered and was ready to take offers from other teams.

“Obviously, I’m not the answer,” said Vincent, who spent the day taking a crash course in the defense. “But I do believe I can bring some value.”

*

Doctors gave Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander some good news. The bone in his foot he cracked on Sept. 24 showed “very, very great” healing in X-rays, according to Alexander.

“Pain is gone,” he said.

Yet, instead of the 2005 league rushing leader returning for Seattle against Minnesota on Sunday -- as Coach Mike Holmgren hoped -- the team estimated that Alexander will sit out perhaps two more weeks. Alexander’s tentatively scheduled return is Nov. 6 against the Oakland Raiders.

*

Washington Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers had surgery on a broken right thumb, although the injury might not keep him out of next week’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.

*

The NFL Players Assn. appealed Oakland receiver Jerry Porter’s four-game suspension by the team for insubordination, calling the punishment “excessive.” The appeal would be heard by an independent arbitrator. Porter, in the second year of a five-year contract worth $20 million, will be docked about $235,000 in pay if the suspension is upheld.

*

The Cincinnati Bengals’ offense took another hit when left tackle Levi Jones learned he will need arthroscopic knee surgery. Jones hurt his left knee during a 14-13 loss Sunday to Tampa Bay. The offense hasn’t played to expectations since center Rich Braham injured his knee in the second game.

*

Cornerback Phillip Buchanon was released by the Texans, ending his injury-filled and lackluster stay in Houston. Buchanon, a first-round pick in 2002, was traded to Houston from Oakland before last season in exchange for second- and third-round picks in the 2006 draft.

*

Steve McNair is expected to recover from a concussion and neck sprain in time to start Baltimore’s next game on Oct. 29. The Ravens have a bye this week.

*

Defensive end Anthony Hargrove, who lost his starting job with the St. Louis Rams after skipping two days of practice and meetings this season, was traded to the Buffalo Bills for a fifth-round draft choice in 2007.

*

Curtis Martin will remain on the physically-unable-to-perform list until at least after the New York Jets’ game at Cleveland in two weeks.