The Washington Redskins got some veteran help in their backfield on Monday afternoon, as it was announced that they have signed running back Adrian Peterson. The contract is reportedly for one year and is for the veteran's minimum of $1.015 million. The former NFL MVP gives the Redskins much-needed depth and a veteran option to their run game.
This move was necessary for Washington after they lost rookie running back Derrius Guice for the season to a torn ACL in their preseason opener. Their second contest was not much better when it comes to injuries, as they lost backups Samaje Perine and Byron Marshall to leg injuries. Perine's injury is not that serious, but Marshall could be out for up to four weeks. As of right now, the Redskins would be starting Rob Kelley at running back, as they also have Chris Thompson and Kapri Bibbs on their roster.
The 33-year-old Peterson spent a majority of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he made seven Pro Bowls in 10 seasons. He became a free agent when the Vikings declined their option after the 2016 seasons. He went on to sign a two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, who would then trade him to the Arizona Cardinals on October 10th. The Cardinals released him after last season.
He does rank 12th on the all-time rushing list with 12,276 yards on the ground, while also adding 2,015 yards receiving in his career. That was headlined by his 2012 MVP season when he ran for 2,097 yards, which is the second-most in a season, behind only Eric Dickerson.
Although, last season, after rushing for 293 yards in two games, he would go on to combine for 155 in four other contests with the Cardinals. It is only fitting that the Redskins open the regular season on September 9th in Arizona.
This move was necessary for Washington after they lost rookie running back Derrius Guice for the season to a torn ACL in their preseason opener. Their second contest was not much better when it comes to injuries, as they lost backups Samaje Perine and Byron Marshall to leg injuries. Perine's injury is not that serious, but Marshall could be out for up to four weeks. As of right now, the Redskins would be starting Rob Kelley at running back, as they also have Chris Thompson and Kapri Bibbs on their roster.
The 33-year-old Peterson spent a majority of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he made seven Pro Bowls in 10 seasons. He became a free agent when the Vikings declined their option after the 2016 seasons. He went on to sign a two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, who would then trade him to the Arizona Cardinals on October 10th. The Cardinals released him after last season.
He does rank 12th on the all-time rushing list with 12,276 yards on the ground, while also adding 2,015 yards receiving in his career. That was headlined by his 2012 MVP season when he ran for 2,097 yards, which is the second-most in a season, behind only Eric Dickerson.
Although, last season, after rushing for 293 yards in two games, he would go on to combine for 155 in four other contests with the Cardinals. It is only fitting that the Redskins open the regular season on September 9th in Arizona.
