Alexander to try out

Former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander is expected to work out for the Washington Redskins today, a team source said Monday night.

A need at the position was created when backup Ladell Betts suffered a sprained knee in Washington’s 19-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams. Although the team said an MRI revealed no ligament tears, a league source said the Redskins expect Betts to miss three weeks.

Alexander, 31, was the NFL’s MVP in 2005 when he led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl. That staff featured current Redskins coach Jim Zorn and assistant head coach/running backs Stump Mitchell. Alexander rushed for a league-high 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns that season.

Mitchell coached Alexander for all of his eight-year pro career.

Following five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, injuries limited Alexander the last two years in Seattle to 896 and 716 yards, respectively.

He has remained unsigned since Seattle released him in late April. Alexander made visits to Cincinnati and New Orleans, and he worked out for Detroit after the start of the season.

The visit suggests the Redskins are concerned about Betts’ injury as well as Clinton Portis’ workload. While Zorn has consistently said he believes in one back leading the way, Portis leads the NFL with 136 carries through six games. Portis leads the league in yards (643) and is tied for second in the league with Michael Turner with six touchdowns.

If willing to accept a reserve role for his former position coach, Alexander could provide the Redskins with a second option while Betts is sidelined. Or if Betts is sidelined only a short period, Alexander could give teams a month’s worth of video to review before the season’s stretch run.

Betts has 38 carries for 156 yards this year and, just as importantly, is as adept in pass protection as Portis.

The Redskins wouldn’t have a problem fitting Alexander on the roster - several young players could be released, passed through waivers and then signed to the practice squad.

Alexander was a first-round draft pick in 2000 and became the Seahawks’ feature back a year later. He has led the NFL in touchdowns four times and reached three Pro Bowls. In 119 regular-season games, Alexander has rushed for 9,429 yards and 100 touchdowns.