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Redskins 53-man roster projection: Pre-preseason Week 1 vs. Browns

By Russell Shavatt

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 7: Guard Gabe Jackson #66 and tackle Donald Penn #72 of the Oakland Raiders prepare to block on a play against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter on December 7, 2014 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 24-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 7: Guard Gabe Jackson #66 and tackle Donald Penn #72 of the Oakland Raiders prepare to block on a play against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter on December 7, 2014 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 24-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 22: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins is defended by Rashaan Evans #54 of the Tennessee Titans while running with the ball during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 22: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins is defended by Rashaan Evans #54 of the Tennessee Titans while running with the ball during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Running Back (4)

Derrius Guice, Adrian Peterson, Chris Thompson, Samaje Perine

The Redskins running back situation is one that seems strong on paper.  The ability to stay healthy will be a major concern with this group.  The team should start Guice as the primary back, and mix in Peterson when necessary.  The third-down back will remain Thompson who is coming off his own injury.  However, Bryce Love could step in and compete for playing time later in the season if he is ready to be activated from the NFI list.  Love was dynamic with the ball in his hands at Stanford.

The ageless Peterson was signed prior to Week 1 of the 2018 season, as Guice tore his ACL in his first preseason game against the New England Patriots.  Peterson finished the regular season playing all 16 games, and amassing 1,042 yards to go with 7 touchdowns running the ball.  The 34-year-old back is well past his prime, but the Redskins must keep him fresh by efficiently splitting the workload.

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Guice, the Redskins second-round pick out of LSU last year, flashed throughout the 2018 training camp, and the one preseason game he played.  Per NFL.com’s Lance Zierlien, coming out of college, Guice was compared to Marshawn Lynch.  He mentioned that Guice’s strengths are he is “well-built combining powerful lower body with good overall size,” and that he has a “winning combination of speed, power and balance.”  This should bode well for the offense in the current season if he is able to stay healthy.

If Love is activated off the NFI list late in the season, it could mean trouble for Perine long-term.  While Perine played in all 16 games in his draft year of 2017, he barely found the field for the team last year, only playing in five games.  He would be a prime candidate to be cut or traded if a player at another position makes a better case for a spot on the final 53-man roster.

Shaun Wilson seems to be the player on the outside looking in at this position.  He may be a candidate for the practice squad, depending on his ability to impress in the preseason.

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