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Washington Football Team Analysis: Running backs and quarterbacks

By Ken Johannesen

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 25: Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Football Team looks on before the game while wearing a helmet decal reading "It Takes All of Us" against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on October 25, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 25: Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Football Team looks on before the game while wearing a helmet decal reading "It Takes All of Us" against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on October 25, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 27: Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Football Team walks off the field after the game against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField on December 27, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 27: Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Football Team walks off the field after the game against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField on December 27, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Running Backs

It’s a question that no one wants to talk about, but it is on the minds of coaches, players, analysts, and fans.  It’s the dreaded turf toe question.  Will Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson be fully healed from the nagging toe injury that affected him in the final few games of the 2021 season?  The team certainly hopes the former Memphis Tiger is fully healed and ready to have a great second season.

Returning as a receiving threat out of the backfield will be J.D. McKissic and Peyton Barber is penciled in as the short-yardage ace.  Undrafted Free Agent Jaret Patterson is the unknown entity as Gibson’s primary backup.  Can the pint-sized, but electrifying running back from SUNY Buffalo make his presence known in 2021?

Washington Football Team RBs in 2021

  • Antonio Gibson
  • J.D. McKissic
  • Peyton Barber
  • Jaret Patterson

Lamar Miller and Jonathan Williams are facing long odds to be on the roster of 53 this fall, but they will receive several opportunities in the preseason.

2021 Prediction

  • Antonio Gibson – 192 carries for 1,018 yards.  Nine touchdowns rushing.  26 receptions for 189 yards and three touchdowns.
  • J.D. McKissic – 44 receptions for 328 yards and four touchdowns.  26 carries for 108 yards.
  • Peyton Barber – 23 carries for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
  • Jaret Patterson – 43 carries for 216 yards and one touchdown.  Nine receptions for 57 yards.

If Gibson’s turf toe injury continues to be an issue, Washington would likely add a veteran running back to the roster.  There are a few intriguing options in free agency, but such speculation is very premature for now.

Patterson is the only real question mark for this unit.  The Washington Football Team chose to add only one player in the UDFA market following the draft and Patterson was the choice.  He will receive plenty of scrutiny during training camp and the preseason.

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