Despite being hampered by nagging hamstring and ankle injuries, which forced him to miss six games, Marcus Washington totaled 46 tackles (22 solo) and three forced fumbles in 2008. Since joining the Redskins in 2004, Washington has tallied three 100-plus tackle seasons (130 in 2004, 125 in 2005 and 106 in 2006). Among Washington’s accolades is a 2004 Pro Bowl appearance following a season in which he set a career high in tackles (130) and solo tackles (102).
NFL Acquisition: Selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round (59th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft
How Acquired: Signed with the Washington Redskins as an unrestricted free agent on March 5, 2004
Pro:
Appeared in 131 career games with 113 starts
Tallied 772 career tackles (519 solo), 37.5 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, 32 passes defensed, seven fumble recoveries and four interceptions
Earned a Pro Bowl berth following the 2004 season
Set career highs in tackles (130) and solo tackles (102) in 2004
Has played with the Indianapolis Colts (2000-03) and the Washington Redskins (2004-07)
2008 Season (WAS):
Finished 10th on the team with 46 tackles (26 solo) and also recorded three forced fumbles
Appeared in 10 regular season games with nine starts (inactive vs. New Orleans (9/14) and at Philadelphia (10/5) due to a hamstring injury; inactive at Seattle (11/23), vs. New York Giants (11/30), at Baltimore (12/7) and at Cincinnati (12/14) due to a high ankle sprain
Returned from a hamstring injury against St. Louis (10/12) and totaled a season-high eight tackles and a forced fumble that helped set up a Redskins touchdown
Closed out the season in San Francisco (12/28) and posted six tackles and two forced fumbles
2007 Season (WAS):
Finished sixth on the team with 59 tackles (37 solo) and also recorded one interception and one forced fumble
Ranked second on the team in sacks (five)
Appeared in 12 regular season games with 11 starts (inactive at Green Bay (10/14), vs. Arizona (10/21), at New York Jets (11/4) and vs. Philadelphia (11/11) with a hamstring injury)
Played in one postseason contest at Seattle (1/5)
Was the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, given to the player who inspires others by overcoming injury and adversity
2006 Season (WAS):
Played and started in 14 regular season games
Placed on injured reserve (12/23) with a knee injury
Finished third on the team in tackles (106)
Tallied 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles
2005 Season (WAS):
Appeared in and started all 16 regular season games and two postseason games (at Tampa Bay and at Seattle)
Finished second on the team in tackles (125)
Totaled 7.5 sacks, one interception, and two fumble recoveries
Set a career-high in forced fumbles (three)
Led the team or tied for the team lead in tackles seven times, averaging eight tackles a game
Named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December, anchoring the defense by recording 35 tackles, four sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries
Had 12 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recoveryin his postseason debut at Tampa Bay (1/7)
2004 Season (WAS):
Played in all 16 regular season games
Made first Pro Bowl appearance
Tallied 130 tackles, which ranked him second on the team, 102 solo, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery
Recorded a career-high 14 tackles (10 solo) at New York Giants (9/19)
2003 Season (IND):
Started all 16 regular season contests
Finished fourth on the Colts with 97 tackles (56 solo)
Finished first among linebackers and second on the team in sacks (6)
2002 Season (IND):
Started 15 regular season games (inactive vs. Jacksonville (12/29) with a knee injury)
Tallied 78 tackles (42 solo), two sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery
Returned his first interception for a touchdown (41 yards) off of Mark Brunell at Jacksonville (9/8)
2001 Season (IND):
Started all 16 regular season games
Finished second on the team in tackles (117) in his first full season as starter
Racked up a career-high eight sacks to go along with two forced fumbles
Posted his first career game with 10 or more tackles (10 tackles at New Orleans (11/18))
2000 Season (IND):
Appeared in all 16 games as a reserve linebacker and on special teams
Totaled 15 tackles (seven solo), two sacks, and one interception
Tallied 13 special teams tackles (nine solo)
Was a four-year letterman and two-year starter at left defensive end as a senior at Auburn
Led the Tigers with seven sacks and 21 QB pressures and also posted 52 tackles, 29 solo, five tackles for loss, one pass defensed and three forced fumbles
Attended Auburn High School and had 23 catches for 282 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior tight end
Also played wide receiver as a junior and lettered in basketball
One of the most charismatic players on the team, he has an eclectic musical taste ranging from Gavin DeGraw to Young Jeezy and helps pick out what songs are played when the defense is on the field on game day