The Washington Redskins announced Nov. 19 that they have signed linebacker Steve Octavien to their practice squad. He will fill the spot vacated by Curtis Gatewood, who was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs active roster. Octavien will wear No. 56.

The 6-foot, 238-pound Octavien went to training camp with Kansas City this season after the Chiefs signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska. Octavien played in 22 games, with 10 starts, for the Cornhuskers from 2005-07 after transferring from William Rainey Harper College.

As a senior in Lincoln, Octavien started eight of the 12 games in which he played and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honor. He also was named the team's defensive most valuable player. For the year, Octavien recorded 92 tackles, two sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and three passes defensed.

The 23-year-old Octavien was born Nov. 25, 1984 in Belle Glade, Fla. He attended Lely High School in Naples, Fla.