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Kapri Bibbs is returning to the Washington Redskins via the practice squad, according to John Keim of ESPN.
The Redskins have signed RB Kapri Bibbs to the practice squad, per source. They have 5 RBs on the 53-man roster, but likely will place Byron Marshall on IR.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 2, 2018
Bibbs was part of the Redskins’ cuts on Saturday. To many it was a surprising move, but in actuality it made the more sense with the logjam the Redskins had at running back.
Bibbs was the odd man out for the 53-man roster with the signing of Adrian Peterson along with Chris Thompson seemingly 100 percent for the start of the regular season and the two young backs in Robert Kelley, the team’s 2016 leading rusher and Week 1 starter in 2017, and Samaje Perine, last year’s leading rusher.
The Redskins did not want to risk sending Kelley or Perine through waivers with both having starter potential on other teams. The chance of another team claiming them off waivers was too risky to chance. Bibbs was the ideal candidate. Despite an impressive showing late last season after joining the team due to injuries to Thompson and Kelley and his strong preseason, there was a greater chance of Bibbs clearing waivers and the Redskins being able to bring him back on the practice squad.
Head coach Jay Gruden was clear following the announcement of the 53-man roster that the Redskins wanted Bibbs back.
“He’s done everything right. He’s been great in pass protection, been good in the pass routes, been running the ball very well. But at the end of the day, it’s about numbers,” Gruden said about Bibbs per Matthew Paras of the Washington Times. “Hopefully there’s a chance we may get him back on the practice squad.”
The plan worked and now the Redskins have six capable running backs at Redskins Park, including the injured Byron Marshall. Marshall was named to the 53-man roster, but he is expected to be moved to injured reserve to start the season.
Bibbs is a viable backup and insurance policy to Thompson at the third-down/scatback position. However, Washington realistically is not going to carry two receiving backs on a Sunday’s 46-man active roster. Therefore, Bibbs can be stashed away just in case he is needed fat any time during the season with injuries.
