McCardell still grateful

Keenan McCardell was a former 12th-round draft choice whose NFL experience consisted of a rookie year spent on injured reserve.

Bill Belichick was the coach of the Cleveland Browns in 1992 when he decided to take a chance on an unproven receiver and sign McCardell as a Plan B free agent.

“I have a lot of respect for Bill because he gave me a chance,” said the 37-year-old McCardell, who will see his old coach again when the Washington Redskins visit the New England Patriots on Sunday. “He’s a great person and a great coach. You remember your great coaches.”

Belichick actually cut McCardell that September but re-signed him off the Chicago Bears’ practice squad in November. By 1995, McCardell was a starter, and he led the Browns with 709 receiving yards on 56 catches.

McCardell signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars the next year and became one of the NFL’s top 10 receivers. He now ranks eighth all-time with 865 catches.

“Keenan’s one of the players I was the most proud to coach and to be associated with,” Belichick said. “He’s a guy who worked very hard, was very productive in practice on the scout team, worked every day in terms of getting better. He’s not the fastest guy. He’s not the quickest guy, but he has good quickness. He has deceptive speed. He’s got real good hands.

“Keenan’s a very smart receiver. He knows how to get open. He’s a very good technique receiver in terms of beating press coverage, finding holes, turning DBs around with good pass route techniques. He’s had a tremendous career.”

Health watch

Center Casey Rabach (groin) and linebacker Marcus Washington (hamstring) practiced for a second straight day and are set to return to the lineup against the Patriots.

Rabach did not play in the Redskins’ victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and Washington missed that game and the loss to the Green Bay Packers the previous week.

Backup offensive tackle Stephon Heyer (hamstring) practiced for the first time since he was hurt on Oct. 14 at Green Bay.

Cornerbacks Carlos Rogers (knee) and Fred Smoot (hamstring) saw limited work for a second straight day, but each said he would be ready for the Patriots. Assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams agreed. Safety Pierson Prioleau returned to practice after being rested on Wednesday.

Kick returner Rock Cartwright missed a second straight practice because of the quadriceps he injured against the Cardinals, but he hopes to be on the field today and play at New England.

Triple threat

Lorenzo Alexander played tight end in Jumbo packages at the goal line, tackle in goal line defense and in the wedge on kickoff return last Sunday against the Cardinals.

“Everyone says I need to go in and re-negotiate like I’m a three-way player,” said the chuckling Alexander, who makes the $285,000 league minimum. “The offense is still a little hazy because I’m pretty much new to it, but it’s feasible to do this every week.”

Williams is impressed with Alexander’s versatility.

“It’s not been done very often especially by a lineman …” Williams said. “There’s a guy that whatever we ask him to do, he never complains. He just wants the opportunity to get on the field.”

On the comeback trail

Guard Randy Thomas will have the brace protecting his torn left triceps removed on Wednesday. Thomas, who was hurt on Sept. 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles, said he expects to gradually build up the strength in his arm.

When Thomas was hurt, it was projected that he would be able to play six weeks after having the brace removed. That would put him back on the field for the Dec. 16 game at the New York Giants.