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Redskins to sign Mark Sanchez to be backup quarterback

ASHBURN, Virginia -- The Washington Redskins will sign quarterback Mark Sanchez to back up Colt McCoy, multiple sources told ESPN.

Redskins starting quarterback Alex Smith broke the tibia and fibula in his right leg in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Houston Texans. McCoy, in his fifth season with Washington, will start in place of Smith. But the Redskins had no other quarterback on the roster or even on the practice squad. They opted for Sanchez from a group that included E.J. Manuel, Kellen Clemens, Josh Johnson and T.J. Yates.

Sanchez does have several ties to the Redskins from his four seasons with the New York Jets.