WESTMINSTER -- The Baltimore Ravens have traded fourth-string quarterback John Beck to the Washington Redskins in exchange for cornerback Doug Dutch, an indication of the Ravens' need for reinforcements at an injury-depleted position.

A former Miami Dolphins second-round draft pick who was with the Ravens for one season last year, Beck got the word from general manager Ozzie Newsome during the latter portion of practice Monday morning.

"Anytime you get an opportunity like this and you get traded, it obviously shows a team wants you," said Beck. "Anytime you're playing for a team that wants you like that, it's obviously a good feeling. I told John Harbaugh in my exit interview that, as excited as I am to go to this next experience with the Redskins, it's tough because this is a special football team.

"I have a lot of friends on this team and I think this team is going to be a Super Bowl contending team. It's going to be tough not being with them. It's tough because this team has got special people and it's a special organization."

The Ravens sorely needed depth at cornerback for practice sessions.

Domonique Foxworth is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Chris Carr is sidelined with a lower back injury. And Lardarius Webb remains on the physically unable to perform list after tearing up his knee last season.

Dutch, 24, spent last season on the Redskins' practice squad after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Michigan.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder is a Hyattsville native who was a standout at Gonzaga High School in Washington.

Dutch was cut last season by the Redskins during the final major roster cutdown, but was signed to the practice squad in November.

Dutch briefly tried to play for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League last fall, but didn't make the team.

At Michigan, he moved from wide receiver to cornerback prior to his senior year. He saw limited action, though, primarily playing special teams.

The scouting report on Dutch out of Washington is fairly undistinguished.

Dutch is regarded as having solid speed, good size, but average footwork and technique. He has been used in some blitzing situations in practice.

Dutch was signed by the Redskins to a reserve/future contract in January.

In high school, Dutch caught 60 passes for 1,000 yards and scored 25 touchdowns. He recorded 207 tackles and 10 interceptions and was a SuperPrep All-American, but never produced to that level in the Big Ten Conference.

With Beck out of the picture, it doesn't necessarily mean that former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith is a lock to make the team as the third quarterback.

The Ravens could always go with two quarterbacks on the final roster: starter Joe Flacco and backup Marc Bulger.

That would allow them to carry an extra defensive lineman, cornerback or an injured player on the active roster.