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Breaking down the Redskins’ running back depth chart for 2019

By Jacob Camenker

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins rushes during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins rushes during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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PALO ALTO, CA – SEPTEMBER 08: Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after scoring on a seven yard touchdown run against the USC Trojans in the first quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – SEPTEMBER 08: Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after scoring on a seven yard touchdown run against the USC Trojans in the first quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Injury Stash: RB Bryce Love

Love was an interesting pick in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Running back wasn’t a major need, but there could be a path for Love to find a role on the team in the future.

Thompson’s contract is up after this year. Peterson is growing old. Perine and Guice are both relatively unproven. If Love can show enough over the course of the next two years, he could emerge as a starter or top receiving back. After all, during his junior season, Love did have over 2,000 yards and was the catalyst for Stanford’s offense.

Unfortunately, Love suffered an ACL tear during his senior year and that will have an impact on his rookie season. Love won’t necessarily miss the entire campaign, but he may not be ready to start the season. And even if he is, he will need to be gradually worked into a gameplan at most as he will still be adjusting to the NFL game.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

That said, I think that the Redskins will use somewhat of an injury stash method with Love. They could place him on the PUP list to start the year and that would cause him to miss at least the first six weeks of the season. That would give him extra time to rehab, learn the offense, and get comfortable on his surgically repaired knee. And, he wouldn’t take up a spot on the 53-man roster. That’s the luxury of having depth at the running back position.

If Love seems ready to come back after six weeks or if Washington decides they need his particular skill set for depth at the position, they could have him return off that list. If he isn’t quite ready, they’ll be able to wait as long as they need. They can even have him take essentially what would amount to a redshirt year if they’re not comfortable with putting him on the field yet or if their running back rotation works out.

Love is going to have a role on the Redskins. It just may not be in 2019. They’ll probably bring him along slowly an methodically in hopes of getting him on the field. But if he can’t quite do it, they will stash him and give him a chance to win a bigger role ahead of the 2020 season.

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