Washington Redskins 2018 season running back grades
By Ian Cummings
Chris Thompson
Chris Thompson got off to a strong start in 2018. In the first two weeks of the season, the Florida State product totaled 221 yards from scrimmage, notching his lone touchdown of the season in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.
After his Week 1 showing, however, Thompson faded quickly. In four games before the season’s midpoint, Thompson ran for 48 yards, averaging 2.3 yards per carry. After Week 8, an injury would sideline him until Week 13, and from that point on, he never eclipsed more than 40 yards from scrimmage in a given week.
Thompson ended the 2018 season with 178 rushing yards, 268 receiving yards, and one lone receiving touchdown. This, after a year in which he amassed over 500 receiving yards, 294 rushing yards, and six total touchdowns in just ten games.
Thompson’s regression in 2018, to some extent, can be attributed to poor offensive line play following Brandon Scherff’s injury, as well as the quarterback drama late in the season. But Thompson himself was not as productive this year, and in 2019, serious questions must be posed, about whether or not Thompson is still the explosive playmaker he once was.