’Skins go to Plan B after losing Guice
RICHMOND, Va. — Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden doesn’t expect to go looking for another running back after losing promising rookie Derrius Guice to a torn ACL in his left knee in the pre-season opener.
“We have guys that are here and in play,” Gruden said, noting that the Redskins drafted Guice because he was the best player available in the 59th spot, “not because we weren’t satisfied with the backs we have.”
The contenders as the No. 1 back now start with Rob Kelley and Samaje Perine.
Kelley, with 16 starts in two seasons, missed most of last season with a variety of injuries but ran for 704 yards and six touchdowns in 2016. Perine made eight starts last season and became the first Redskins running back with consecutive 100-yard performances since Alfred Morris in 2013. He had 603 yards and one TD last season.
Nonetheless, the Redskins’ 90.5-yard rushing average was fifth-worst in the NFL, and Guice was looked at as a great find in the second round. Projected as a first-round pick, his stock fell amid reports of character concerns.
Gruden said none of those ever surfaced and he looks forward to Guice being 100 per cent next season.
“We’re obviously very upset for Derrius. He’s put a lot of work in and (had) a very promising rookie season ahead of him, but unfortunately these injuries happen,” Gruden said. “... We had high hopes for him and what he could do for this football team and what he would accomplish his rookie year as a person and all that good stuff.”
Instead, he’s hoping Kelley, Perine or veteran third down specialist Chris Thompson, who is recovering from a broken fibula, can create as much excitement.
“I’ve been impressed with both of those guys,” Gruden said about Kelley and Perine. “A lot of talk has been on Derrius, and deservedly so. He’s had a great camp and OTAs, but Rob Kelley has lost a bit of weight. He looks quicker in the hole to me and Samaje just looks more comfortable to me.”
Kelley offered Guice some advice.
“I just told him to come back stronger than ever, show people what they’re missing out on,” he said.