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Redskins: 5 running backs to consider after the Derrius Guice injury

By Jacob Camenker

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 26: Alfred Morris #46 of the Washington Redskins looks on prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 26, 2015 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 26: Alfred Morris #46 of the Washington Redskins looks on prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 26, 2015 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 26: Running back Adrian Peterson #23 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up before the NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Jaguars 27-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 26: Running back Adrian Peterson #23 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up before the NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Jaguars 27-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

A few years ago, acquiring Adrian Peterson as a potential starter would have been an absolute no-brainer. There’s no doubting that Peterson is one of the best running backs in recent NFL history, but at this point in his career, he is washed up.

Last season, Peterson played for the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals. He totaled 529 yards on 156 carries with two touchdowns over the course of the season. The 3.4 yards per carry was the lowest total of his career in a season in which he has received more than 100 carries.

Peterson could still show flashes of the elite player he once was. He looked energized in a couple of games with the Cardinals last year before plateauing once again. But at this point in time, he has over 2,500 career carries and has only put up one strong season since 2014. His days as a workhorse back are behind him.

If the Redskins wanted to add some help as an early-downs player, Peterson would fit the bill. But given that the team already has Perine and Kelley, Peterson would seem to be a redundant addition. He doesn’t offer a lot more besides experience, and he is significantly older than both of the team’s backs. For that reason, he doesn’t make sense.

Peterson might be done at this point, but if the Redskins feel the need to add a veteran to the rotation, he might be a fit. It’s just unlikley that he would be any sort of upgrade over what the team already has, and would take a roster spot away from a younger, more potential-packed player.

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