For the second time in six days, the Washington Redskins have added a longtime veteran to their defense. SportsLine learned Thursday that the team has reached a contract agreement with free-agent safety Mark Carrier.

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The agreement, confirmed by agent Gary Wichard and personnel director Vinny Cerrato, comes just four days after the NFC East champions added defensive end Bruce Smith to their lineup. Carrier, 31, will sign a five-year contract worth about $15 million and it includes a signing bonus of $3 million. Carrier is expected to immediately be penciled in as the starter at free safety.

A three-time Pro Bowl performer, Carrier immediately provides stability and veteran guile to the interior of a Washington secondary that sorely needs both. Last year's starter at the free safety spot, Leomont Evans, started 15 games and had no interceptions. By comparison, "nickel" safety Matt Stevens had six pickoffs.

In 153 regular-season games, including 149 starts, Carrier has 31 interceptions, 10 of them in his rookie season with the Chicago Bears. He entered the league as the Bears' first round pick in the 1990 draft. After spending the first seven years of his career in Chicago, he signed with Detroit as an unrestricted free agent in 1997 and has played the past three years with the Lions.

Last season, Carrier played in 15 games, all starts, and had 73 tackles, three interceptions and one fumble recovery. He has been twice suspended for using his helmet as a weapon and is known to be one of the most physical safeties in the league.

In another move, the Redskins have hired Atlanta Falcons scout Melvin Bratton to evaluate the NFC veterans in their pro personnel department.