Washington let go

Keith Washington was considering retirement. The Giants certainly helped him make up his mind. On Tuesday, the Giants released their second veteran defensive lineman in as many days when they let go of Washington, an end who played two years for the team.

Like tackle Norman Hand, who was released Monday, Washington is a 10-year veteran whose 2004 season was shortened by injury. Washington started the first eight games of the season before tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament against the Chicago Bears on November 7, the same day fellow starting end Michael Strahan was lost for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.

Washington finished his abbreviated season with 17 tackles (12 solo), a sack and a fumble recovery. In a career that has taken him to five teams, Washington played in 119 games with 31 starts and recorded 217 tackles (139 solo), 10 sacks, three forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 16 special teams tackles and two blocked field goals.

Washington joined the Giants as an unrestricted free agent on March 28, 2003. In his first season with the team he played in 14 games, including starts in the last six games at right end. He had 27 tackles, a sack and two fumble recoveries.