Derek Carrier finding his way with the Redskins

If there was anything the Washington Redskins needed after their preseason campaign, it was a tight end. Or two.

Until then, they had been going down at an alarming rate. After watching starters Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen trot into doctors' offices and come out with frowns and casts, the club went out and fetched Derek Carrier from the 49ers. 

An all-round versatile pass catcher and blocker, Carrier can move in and out of different looks easily, setting blocks for Alfred Morris and making an impact as another target for Kirk Cousins. He played in the Redskins' final two preseason games, starting one, snagging a 13 yard reception and recovering a fumble on special teams.

Ahead of his third pro season, he said he's progressing in his new team's system so far.

"It's going really well," he said. "Every game, every practice, every time I go out on the field, I'm just trying to get better. I'm trying to pick up on little things that I might've missed going through the playbook, and just trying to get better all the time."

Suddenly finding himself in a more prominent role than he had in San Francisco, Carrier says he is learning more of the nuances in the Redskins' playbook that he had the opportunity to learn with his former club.

"It's just a little different how we call things here, and some of the footwork -- the techniques are probably the biggest difference," he said. "Executing those at a high level and being able to do that at a fast pace is probably the biggest thing."

Though they also signed Anthony McCoy, Washington will take only two starting tight ends into Sunday's season opener against the Dolphins, Carrier and Jordan Reed. 

"We just focus on our part," Carrier said. "With not as many guys, you just have to be on top of everything just in case something were to happen. So just being prepared, being focused is key, and then everything will take care of itself."