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Leon Washington | Running Back

Team: New England Patriots
Age / DOB:  (30) / 8/29/1982
Ht / Wt:  5'8' / 203
College: Florida State
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Patriots signed KR/PR Leon Washington, formerly of the Seahawks, to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
Washington is going on age 31 and seems to no longer be viewed as a viable change-of-pace back on offense, but he can still break long returns. In 2012, Washington ranked second in the league in kickoff return average (29.0) among returners with at least 20 attempts. He also took a 98-yarder to the house. Washington was less effective on punts, averaging 8.7 yards per return. Mar 14 - 6:21 PM
Source: Leon Washington on Twitter

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Date:
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

Free agent KR/RB Leon Washington will visit the Patriots Thursday.

The Pats were also linked to Josh Cribbs before he settled in Arizona, so it appears they're looking to move on from track star Jeff Demps. Washington ranked second in the league in kickoff return average last season at 29.0 yards.
Related: Patriots
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Mar 14 - 7:36 AM
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

The Bucs have "been in contact" with free agent KR/RB Leon Washington, but "no deal is imminent."

The Bucs reportedly considered trading for Washington before he was released by the Seahawks, and remain interested. He'd provide a serious return threat for a team that lacked one in 2012.
Related: Buccaneers
Source: Tampa Bay Times
Mar 13 - 2:46 PM
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

Seahawks released KR/RB Leon Washington.

Washington is annually one of the game's premier return men and ranked second in kickoff return average at 29.0 yards last season. He can also chip in as a desperation scatback. But after the Seahawks acquired Percy Harvin, there's no room for a return specialist that counts $2.875 million against the cap. Washington, entering his age-31 season, shouldn't have trouble landing on his feet on a one-year deal elsewhere.
Related: Seahawks
Source: Leon Washington on Twitter
Mar 12 - 3:12 PM
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports the Seahawks are shopping KR/RB Leon Washington.

We could see this coming after the acquisition of Percy Harvin, who is just as potent in the return game. Washington has a $2.875 million cap number, and that's too expensive for a No. 3 running back who may or may not be used on returns. Washington, 30, finished second in the NFL with his 29.0 YPR average on kickoffs in 2012. He might be able to fetch a late-round pick.
Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter
Mar 11 - 8:22 PM
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

Leon Washington rushed seven times for 38 yards with a touchdown in the Seahawks' Week 14 thrashing of the Cardinals.

Marshawn Lynch rested for virtually the entire second half, leaving Washington as the change-of-pace option behind feature back Robert Turbin. It's a glimpse of what we would see if Lynch were to miss a game.
Sun, Dec 9, 2012 07:35:00 PM
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

Leon Washington is expected to serve as the Seahawks' undisputed change-of-pace back.

Marshawn Lynch and rookie Robert Turbin are both early-down pounders. With Justin Forsett gone, Washington has at least the third-down job to himself. He's averaged an impressive 4.7 yards per carry during his six-year career.
Source: ESPN.com
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 10:12:00 AM
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

The Seahawks have "penciled in" Leon Washington as their third-down back for 2012.

Beat writer Eric Williams is assuming free agent Justin Forsett won't return, and allows that Tyrell Sutton could compete for the passing-down gig. Marshawn Lynch is Seattle's early-down bellcow, with rookie Robert Turbin backing him up. Washington has the most explosiveness and held up well as a pass blocker last season, so he's the heavy favorite for third-down work over Sutton.
Source: Tacoma News Tribune
Wed, May 9, 2012 03:04:00 PM
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

Leon Washington rushed seven times for 78 yards and added two receptions for 12 yards against the Cardinals in Week 17.

The Seahawks talked up an increased role for Washington in August, but it never came to fruition thanks to Marshawn Lynch's emergence as a true foundation back. Washington finished the season with just 53 rushes for 248 yards while adding 1,548 return yards. He figures to remain in the same limited role in 2012.
Sun, Jan 1, 2012 08:23:00 PM
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

Leon Washington carried the ball six times for -3 yards in Sunday's win over the Rams.

Given his second most carries of the season, Washington could do nothing against the league's worst run defense. Expect Washington to remain invisible outside of special teams going forward.
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 08:19:00 PM
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

The Seattle Times confirms that Leon Washington is the Seahawks' preferred option in one-back sets when Marshawn Lynch (back) is out.

Washington started over Justin Forsett in Week 7, carrying seven times for 39 yards and adding four receptions. Forsett got eight touches. Forsett's per-carry average (2.5) is way down from past seasons, and he's clearly fallen to third on the depth chart. Washington is the preferred handcuff for Lynch.
Related: Justin Forsett
Source: Seattle Times
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 04:03:00 PM
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

Leon Washington rushed seven times for 39 yards and added four catches for 10 yards in Sunday's loss to the Browns.

With Marshawn Lynch (back) a last-second scratch, Washington actually started this game. He was the primary third-down back, showing the short-area quicks he's known for. Still, it's clear the Seahawks don't see Washington as a feature back as he split work with Justin Forsett. Even if Lynch sits again next week, Washington won't be a fantasy option against the Bengals' stout defense.
Sun, Oct 23, 2011 05:36:00 PM
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

Coach Pete Carroll is increasing Leon Washington's offensive reps in preparation for a bigger role this season.

"We love him," said Carroll. "We love what he does, but think he just needs reps in this zone scheme that we're running and so he can show us where he's special and unique in our stuff." Washington was limited to return duties last season by design, as Carroll wanted to ease him back in after reconstructive leg surgery. Washington figures to be used as a change-of-pace back, cutting into Marshawn Lynch's receptions and Justin Forsett's snaps.
Related: Marshawn Lynch, Justin Forsett
Source: Associated Press
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 12:29:00 AM
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

According to Newsday's Bob Glauber, the contract proposal that Leon Washington turned down from the Jets two years ago was for $5.5 million per season.

Washington's new four-year deal with the Seahawks is for just over $3 million per season. Washington ended up losing out on over $2 million per season after holding out for Maurice Jones-Drew money and then sustaining a compound leg fracture in 2009.
Source: Bob Glauber on Twitter
Tue, Mar 1, 2011 02:50:00 PM
Leon Washington - RB - Patriots

Seahawks agreed to terms with KR Leon Washington on a four-year, $12.5 million contract.

Washington only received 36 touches on offense in his first season back from a brutal compound leg fracture, but was dynamite on returns for the Seahawks. He averaged 25.6 yards per kickoff return with three touchdowns, to go with an 11.3-yard average on punts. Washington turns 29 in August, so the four-year agreement will lock him up through his age-32 season.
Source: Josina Anderson on Twitter
Tue, Mar 1, 2011 12:47:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Tom Brady
2Ryan Mallett
3Mike Kafka
RB1Stevan Ridley
2Shane Vereen
3Brandon Bolden
4LeGarrette Blount
5Leon Washington
GLB1Stevan Ridley
2Shane Vereen
3RB1Shane Vereen
2Stevan Ridley
FB1James Develin
2Ben Bartholomew
WR11Danny Amendola
2Julian Edelman
3Donald Jones
4Matt Slater
5T.J. Moe
WR21Aaron Dobson
2Josh Boyce
3Michael Jenkins
4Lavelle Hawkins
5Kenbrell Thompkins
WR31Julian Edelman
TE1Rob Gronkowski
2Aaron Hernandez
3Michael Hoomanawanui
4Daniel Fells
5Jake Ballard
K1Stephen Gostkowski