ASHBURN, Va. — Left guard Derrick Dockery is returning to the Washington Redskins, agreeing to terms with the busy team Friday night.

He was released by Buffalo on Thursday, when the Bills cleared salary cap space to prepare for free agency.

Dockery was a third-round draft pick of the Redskins in 2003, and played his first four NFL seasons with the team — starting every game in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons. He left for Buffalo as a free agent after the 2006 season.

By rejoining Washington on Day 1 of this offseason's free-agency signing period, Dockery is part of an already large haul: The Redskins gave defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth a $100 million deal, and re-signed cornerback DeAngelo Hall for $54 million.