Tennessee's kick return game is about to get a boost. The Titans signed two-time Pro Bowler Leon Washington on Tuesday, Washington had been on the free agent market since Nov. 23 when the Patriots released him.
The eight-year veteran only saw action in two games with New England in 2013, but he did earn a Pro Bowl berth in 2012 while playing with the Seahawks. Washington's 29.7 yard average on kickoff returns was second in the league in 2012 behind only Baltimore's Jacoby Jones (30.7).
Besides 2012, Washington also made the Pro Bowl in 2008 as a member of the New York Jets when he led the NFL in all-purpose yards with 2,337. The 31-year-old was a fourth-round pick of the Jets in 2006.
Washington has eight career kickoff returns for touchdowns, an NFL record he shares with the Jets Joshua Cribbs. Washington's four kickoff return touchdowns since 2010 are tied for most in the league.
The Titans will be hoping that Washington can give a boost to a Tennessee kickoff return game that ranks 19th in the league going into Week 13 with 22.8 yards per return. Devon Wylie had been one of the Titans kick returners, but after fumbling in each Tennessee's past two games, the Titans cut him on Tuesday.
Tennessee plays in Indianapolis on Sunday and a win over the Colts would move the Titans to within one game of Indy for the AFC South lead.
