Washington ? After six weeks of letting receivers run unfettered through the secondary, the slumping Washington Redskins addressed the problem Monday by signing five-time Pro Bowl defensive back Troy Vincent.

Vincent, whose 47 interceptions rank second among active players, was released from Buffalo’s injured reserve list last week. The 15-year veteran hurt his hamstring in the preseason and aggravated it in the season opener against New England, but said last week he had fully recovered and was ready to take offers from other teams.

“Obviously, I’m not the answer,” said Vincent, who spent the day taking a crash course in the defense. “But I do believe I can bring some value.”

The 35-year-old Vincent joins a team that has spent heavily on safeties and cornerbacks, only to watch them allow more passing plays of 20-plus yards (25) than any team except Green Bay. The Redskins (2-4) ranked 23rd in the league in pass defense through Sunday’s games, and they lost Sunday to a rookie quarterback (Vince Young) starting for a winless team (Tennessee).

“We felt like it was a chance to add somebody who was a quality guy,” coach Joe Gibbs said.