"With their running game among the league's worst through two games, the Washington Redskins Tuesday made a minor move with a major name, cutting veteran Larry Johnson in advance of Sunday's game at St. Louis - a decision that makes undrafted rookie free agent Keiland Williams the primary backup to Clinton Portis.

Though Johnson's contributions in the Redskins' first two games - five carries for two yards in limited playing time - were negligible, Johnson's agent said the Redskins told him that the move was made because the Redskins needed a player for the St. Louis game who could contribute on special teams. Johnson and Portis play only on offense, and two sources familiar with the situation said Tuesday that Washington had signed Chad Simpson, a third-year pro who spent 2008-09 with Indianapolis, where he returned 53 kickoffs.

"We needed to make a roster move in preparation for this week's game against the Rams," Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen said in a statement.

Though Johnson had spoken about trying to adjust to his limited role, he did not expect the move, his agent said Tuesday.

"We were caught completely off guard by it," said Peter Schaffer, Johnson's representative. "It was not something that we were expecting. I was told by the Redskins that this was a short-term situation brought on by the need to have a special teams running back, that they cannot afford the luxury of two starting running backs for this week."

Asked whether the Redskins plan to re-sign Johnson after the St. Louis game, Schaffer said, "I don't know. There are no guarantees about anything in this league." In the meantime, Schaffer said he would seek employment for Johnson - a 30-year-old eight-year veteran who has rushed for 6,221 yards.

The Redskins will face the Rams - who have allowed 142.5 rushing yards per game, 30th in the NFL - with a slightly altered ground game.

Johnson, who grew up in Charles County, signed a three-year deal as a free agent in the offseason and competed through training camp not only with Portis and Williams, but with fellow free agent Willie Parker and second-year back Ryan Torain, neither of whom made the final 53-man roster."