One of the most shocking moments of NFL Week 1 came before the games even started on Sunday.
The Washington Redskins announced their inactives before the team’s season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. The list included future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson after he performed well in his first season with the team.
In the end, Washington couldn’t muster up anything on the ground with youngster Derrius Guice making his debut in a loss to the Eagles.
Reports are now surfacing that Redskins players are at odds with their embattled head coach. “Players on Sunday became frustrated with the decision,” Ben Standig of The Athletic reported.
Meanwhile, sources close to the situation told Standig that most players believe Peterson is a better back than Guice. “Everyone in the building besides Gruden thinks AP is the better back,” the unnamed source said.
Reports surfaced prior to the game indicating that Gruden wanted to release Peterson, but was overruled by the powers to be in D.C. That likely included team president Bruce Allen and owner Daniel Snyder.
As it is, Guice went for just 18 yards on 10 attempts in his NFL regular-season debut after suffering a torn ACL last summer. The former second-round pick is also expected to miss some time with a meniscus injury to his other knee.
This will likely open the door for Peterson to see action starting next week against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The seven-time Pro Bowler put up 1,250 total yards and eight touchdowns for the Skins last season.