

Lache Seastrunk had been one of the players on the roster bubble. (Richard Lipski/Associated Press)

The Washington Redskins have no immediate plans to sign rookie running back Lache Seastrunk to their practice squad, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

After getting cut on Saturday as the team trimmed its roster from 75 players to 53 to meet the league limit for the regular season, Seastrunk held out hope that he would return as a member of the practice squad.

Seastrunk went unclaimed on waivers and could’ve signed with Washington. But the team informed his camp “at the last minute” Sunday that they would not be signing him to their practice squad. The decision came as a surprise to Seastrunk and his representatives.

Washington signed eight players to the practice squad and had two openings left as of Sunday night.

Washington selected Seastrunk out of Baylor in the sixth round of this past spring’s draft. Going off of the speed and elusiveness that he displayed in college, coaches envisioned him as a potential change of pace back to pair with Pro Bowl workhorse Alfred Morris.

Coach Jay Gruden acknowledged at that time that Seastrunk would be more of a project player because he had very little experience as pass catcher. Seastrunk caught only nine passes his first season at Baylor, and none his final season. Baylor’s system rarely used running backs as targets in the passing game.

Seastrunk did display his inexperience in training camp, but he showed signs of improvement along the way. Still, Washington hadn’t targeted him in any of the first two preseason games he played in. He suited up for the third preseason game, but did not play after missing two practices because of the death of his grandmother.

But Seastrunk shined in his final audition for the team, taking a screen pass 80 yards for a touchdown. Seastrunk also had another catch for eight yards in the game. As a runner, he averaged 4.8 yards per carry – best on the team in the preseason – while gaining 121 yards (second-best) on 25 carries.

But undrafted rookie Silas Redd beat Seastrunk, fourth-year veteran Evan Royster and second-year pro Chris Thompson out for the third running back spot on the roster behind Morris and Roy Helu Jr.

Seastrunk was one of three 2014 draft picks cut by Washington. The team also released place kicker Zach Hocker and tight end Ted Bolser (both seventh-round picks). The Redskins signed Bolser to their practice squad Sunday afternoon. Washington also added Thompson to the practice squad a day after cutting him.