Redskins to start Derrius Guice over Adrian Peterson

Washington Football Team running back Derrius Guice during game against Falcons

That sound you here is fantasy football players looking to redraft ahead of Week 1.

It has been an open question in D.C. surrounding who would handle the bulk of the running back duties for the Washington Redskins.

Future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson is coming off a tremendous first season in the nation’s capital. Meanwhile, 2018 second-round pick Derrius Guice has looked tremendous as he returns from a torn ACL the LSU product suffered last summer.

We can now put an end to any speculation. Redskins head coach Jay Gruden spoke with the media on Monday and made it clear that Guice will be RB1 for the Skins.

Full Jay Gruden quote on Derrius Guice:

"We drafted him for a reason. We feel like he can be a first, second and even a third down back, if needed. I think the offense, carries wise, will probably go through him, pretty much."
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) September 2, 2019

This has to come as a bit of a surprise. Peterson tallied 1,250 total yards and eight touchdowns for Washington last season. He figured to be the lead back for at least one more season.

But as Gruden notes, Washington didn’t draft Guice to man the bench. He’ll now be the primary ball carrier for the Skins. It comes with the team needing production at running back due to a shaky quarterback situation. Guice should provide that.