ASHBURN -- The Redskins aren't sure whether Jammal Brown still can help them, but they want to find out. So rather than release the veteran right tackle, they will have him open the season on the physically unable to perform list and re-evaluate the situation later this season.
What they did know is that cornerback Kevin Barnes wasn't going to help them. So they traded the ex-Maryland player to Detroit for a conditional draft pick.
Both were among the moves made Monday as the Redskins trimmed their roster to 75 in accordance with NFL rules. They must get down to 53 by 9 p.m. Friday.
The Redskins also cut kicker Neil Rackers, giving the starting job to Graham Gano.
They cut quarterback Jonathan Crompton, receiver Lance Lewis, guard Tony Moll, guard Nick Martinez, receiver Samuel Kirkland, running back Lennon Creer, cornerback Morgan Trent, linebacker Monte Lewis, offensive lineman Chris Campbell, tackle James Lee, tight end Beau Reliford and running back Antwon Bailey.
By opening on the PUP list, Brown will miss the first six games. The Redskins then have three weeks to determine whether to activate him, place him on injured reserve or cut him. Brown underwent surgery recently to repair ligaments in his right hip -- the same hip he had operated on in 2009.
Brown has missed six games combined the past two seasons because of hip and other leg issues. Brown took yoga and Pilates classes in the offseason to help loosen scar tissue in his hip. But he reinjured the hip running sprints a day before training camp opened.
Coach Mike Shanahan said it is hard to be optimistic that Brown will be fine once this period ends. His left hip also is sore, forcing him to get a cortisone injection recently.
"It's bothered him for a while, so you keep your fingers crossed that this surgery will help him," Shanahan said. "[Doctors say] they found something they think will alleviate the pain."
As for Barnes, he said he was initially told he would be released. But then the Redskins worked out a deal with Detroit. Barnes, a third-round pick in 2009, said he was disappointed.
"I felt like I played and practiced [well] except for one bad play I had where I wasn't able to finish the tackle [against Indianapolis]," Barnes said. "Other than that I thought I was more than solid."