The Sports Xchange

The Washington Redskins moved to fortify a position drastically weakened by injuries, acquiring tight end Derek Carrier from the overstocked San Francisco 49ers on Friday.

The Redskins sent the 49ers a 2016 fifth-round pick for Carrier, who had been pushing to be the 49ers’ No. 2 tight end behind Vernon Davis.

It was the 49ers’ second trade of a tight end this week. They dealt Asante Cleveland to the New England Patriots for offensive lineman Jordan Devey on Tuesday. They still have six tight ends on the roster.

Washington lost two for the season this week, placing Niles Paul (ankle) and Logan Paulsen (toe) on injured reserve, and new starter Jordan Reed has been working through a hamstring injury.

Carrier signed a modest three-year deal with the 49ers this year and is due $585,00, $800,000 and $950,000 the next three seasons.

The 6-foot-4, 241-pound Carrier played in 16 games and started one for the 49ers during the past two seasons. Last year in 11 games, he totaled nine catches for 105 yards before being placed on injured reserve in late November.

Carrier came into the NFL with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2012 from Beloit (Wis.) College but was released in August. He joined the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad in September 2012 and signed with the team on Dec. 31, 2012, before he was released on Aug. 25, 2013.

The 25-year-old Carrier joined the 49ers’ practice squad on Sept. 3, 2013, and was elevated to the active roster on Nov. 16, 2013.