With Hunter Smith's groin injury bad enough again to sideline him Sunday at Atlanta, the Redskins will sign former Cowboys punter Sam Paulescu on Friday. Smith said the injury, which sidelined him in Weeks 5 and 6, occurred again on Oct. 26 against Philadelphia.

He rehabbed during bye week but was unable to punt in practice on Wednesday, causing the Redskins to bring in Paulescu and former Tennessee punter Reggie Hodges on Thursday.

The 25-year-old Paulescu, who played at Oregon State, averaged 41.7 yards on 58 punts for Denver in 2007 and Dallas in 2008. Paulescu was one of the punters beaten out by Glenn Pakulak in the tryouts for the job after Smith was first hurt on Oct. 4 against Tampa Bay.

-- David Elfin

• 
• Comment