Examining whether or not Derrius Guice is injury prone

Is Derrius Guice an injury-prone player? Or is it too early to tell?

Derrius Guice missed his rookie season with the Washington Redskins due to a torn ACL and is now out for several weeks in his second season, but fans are wondering if he is prone to injuries.

No one disputes the fact that Derrius Guice possesses superior talent as a running back, but Redskins fans are frustrated with his brief stint with the team thus far. It’s fair to ask the question – is he injury prone? Pundits and local media may think it is premature to produce an answer at this juncture, but let’s take a look at the positives and negatives.

Let’s start with the negative aspects of this debate. Guice was initially a backup to current Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette at LSU after a stellar career in high school at Catholic High in Baton Rouge. The opportunity to learn from such a dynamic running back was a key factor in Guice’s decision to matriculate at LSU. Obviously, playing so close to home also figured into the equation.

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Let’s fast forward to the 2017 season at LSU as Guice is putting on a dynamic show each week. A few games into the season, Guice was dealing with a “nagging injury” and while he didn’t have the injury-prone label at that juncture, this would be the informal designation that would plague the LSU product to the present day.

Since 2017, here are some of the injuries that have affected Guice’s career: The “nagging injury” at LSU. The first preseason game of 2018 – a torn ACL in his rookie debut. A hamstring injury earlier this summer. The latest injury occurred in the season opener a few weeks ago – a torn meniscus and it is unknown when he will return. With injuries sidelining Derrius Guice for all of 2018 and for periods of time in 2017 and 2019, is it fair to place the label of “injury prone” on him? Possibly. In fact, it would be easy to say he is a potential bust, but let’s take an honest, measured look at the positives.

It would be easy for Derrius Guice to get discouraged after three straight seasons with injuries that have sidelined him for prolonged periods of time. Can he regain the dynamics of 2016 – a season when he led the SEC in rushing, including a 285 yard effort against Texas A&M? The answer can be summed up with one name: Chris Thompson.

Is Chris Thompson injury prone? Some say yes. Some say no. Take a look at Thompson’s injury history here and make up your own mind. Scroll to the bottom and take a look at the many injuries. But whatever you believe, one thing cannot be denied. Chris Thompson has consistently produced for the Burgundy and Gold and his seven years in the league have been very productive. You simply can’t argue otherwise.

Another factor in Guice’s favor is his age. He turned 22 this summer and time is certainly on his side. Chris Thompson has endured and Derrius Guice will do the same. He is slated to return soon and can still have quite an impact in 2019 and beyond. Most NFL prospects start their careers at age 22, but Guice is well into his second season and is determined to succeed at this level. The right attitude will take him to a highly productive career as a Redskin.

One final plus for Guice is his love for the Redskins and the region that loves him back. You can often find him supporting local causes enthusiastically and attending sporting events such as Washington Nationals baseball games, Washington Capitals hockey matches, and Washington Wizards/Mystics basketball games. He is the virtuous citizen and role model that fans dream about.

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Once again, it is fair to ask – is he injury prone? The best answer here is to give it time. Plenty of time. Guice is young and it would be wise to wager a sizable bet on him. Just ask Chris Thompson.

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