Redskins sign Pierre Thomas, place Stephen Paea on injured reserve

ASHBURN — The Washington Redskins signed veteran running back Pierre Thomas on Friday and placed defensive end Stephen Paea on injured reserve.

The signing of Thomas adds depth to the Redskins’ backfield with Chris Thompson’s status uncertain for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. Thompson tore the labrum in one of his shoulders on Monday against the Dallas Cowboys and has not practiced this week. 

Paea sustained a Grade 2 toe sprain against the Cowboys and coach Jay Gruden estimated that the defensive end would miss at least one or two games. 

The Redskins signed Paea to a four-year, $21 million contract in March, after he played four seasons with the Bears. Paea played 11 games this season and recorded 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He started the second game of the season, but lost the starting job to Chris Baker. 

Thomas, in his ninth season, signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent on Nov. 3. He played one game against the Atlanta Falcons and was released a week later. In eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints, Thomas rushed for 3,745 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also caught 327 passes for 2,608 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

Thompson played in 11 games this season and rushed for 197 yards on 28 attempts — an average of seven yards per carry. Playing mostly as a third-down back, he also caught 34 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown. Gruden said earlier this week that it is likely Matt Jones will serve as the third-down back if Thompson is unable to play.