James

The Redskins are going to take a chance on former first-round bust Erasmus James, who today they got from the Vikings for a conditional seventh-round pick. James was to be placed on waivers by the Vikings Friday, but the Skins wanted him and called before they could file the paper work, getting a deal done before he could become a free agent.

He was the 18th overall pick in 2005, and had four sacks his rookie season, but then tore a ligament in his left knee in the second week of the 2006 season, and was really never the same. He will be back with D-line coach John Palermo, who was an assistant at Wisconsin when James was the Big Ten defensive player of the year.

“He is young, talented and has a great deal of potential,” executive vice president Vinny Cerrato said.