Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins Roster Projection: No Colt McCoy, team goes light in backfield

By Jacob Camenker

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the first half of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the first half of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 13
Next
LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 15: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins rushes with the ball in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals during a preseason game at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 15: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins rushes with the ball in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals during a preseason game at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Running Back (3)

Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice, Chris Thompson

The more that I think about it, the more it makes sense for the Redskins to keep only three running backs. The unit was viewed as a strength, but the lacking performance of Samaje Perine this preseason has potentially made himself expendable.

And as I pointed out in a recent article, the Redskins don’t exactly have a lot of logical options for a roster spot beyond Perine.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

"If the Redskins do cut Perine, there isn’t another logical player that could step into his roster spot. Sure, they could opt to keep the underwhelming (Byron) Marshall as receiving insurance for (Chris) Thompson. But he hasn’t proven to be anything special after spending parts of the last two seasons with the team. Meanwhile, (Shaun) Wilson was injured in the second preseason game while Reynolds has looked good, but could be stashed on the practice squad. Typically, the Redskins only have three backs active on game day. So, they could opt to carry just three to start the season while stashing a guy like (Craig) Reynolds on the practice squad. It’s highly unlikely that Reynolds would be claimed, and even if he was, they could sign Marshall to that unit or add another young back and call him up in case of injury."

Essentially, this boils down to one thing. Why keep a lackluster player and sacrifice depth at another position? Stashing Reynolds, Marshall, Wilson (if healthy), or even Perine on the practice squad could work and if one of their top guys gets hurt, they can call up said player.

Of course, this plan is contingent on Guice’s health. But with the 2018 second-round pick tentatively set to play on Thursday, it looks like he will be healthy to start the season.

If the team does keep a fourth running back that isn’t Perine, Wilson would probably be the best option, if healthy, as his return ability, shiftiness, and youth make him a solid backup for Thompson. It will be interesting to see what the team ultimately decides to do at the running back position. The three players included on this roster projection are the locks, but there could be room for one more depending on what the team thinks of their depth options.

Home/Commanders News