Xavier Nixon Claimed Off Waivers by Redskins

Earlier this week, the Indianapolis Colts released safety LaRon Landry and waived linebacker Andrew Jackson and offensive lineman Xavier Nixon.  The difference in those distinctions is simply that Jackson and Nixon have been in the NFL for less than four years and are therefore first subjected to waivers.

This afternoon, the Washington Redskins were awarded Xavier Nixon off of waivers from the Colts, according to the Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Redskins awarded offensive tackle Xavier Nixon off waivers from the Colts</p>&mdash; Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/status/566359101450756096">February 13, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Nixon was originally signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2013, was waived at the end of training camp but then signed to the team's practice squad.  He was signed by the Colts in September of 2013 but was waived a month later.  Nixon wound up on the Colts practice squad then, however, and activated in December.  Altogether, he played in four games in 2013 and started one.  He looked impressive in the limited action and the Colts had high hopes for him entering the 2014 season, and that led to them using the injured reserve designated to return tag on Nixon.  He did play in four games in 2014 and started one, but it was a year plagued by injury and poor play.  In his lone start, against the Cowboys in week sixteen, he turned in the worst single-game performance by a Colts lineman all year and was awful.  From that point on, the Colts didn't use him much and it wasn't a big surprise that he was released.  It's a good move for the Redskins to claim him, however, as he can be a good backup lineman option when healthy.