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Adrian Peterson Redskins NFL Rumors: Interest in Jamaal Charles too? – Metro US

Adrian Peterson Redskins NFL Rumors: Interest in Jamaal Charles too?

Adrian Peterson NFL Arizona Cardinals

The Washington Redskins suffered a huge loss in Week 1 of the NFL preseason as second-round pick running back Derrius Guice tore his ACL against the New England Patriots. The injury effectively ended his season, putting the electrifying rookie on the shelf until 2019.

Then to make matters worse, running backs Byron Marshall and Samaje Perine are also banged up. The Redskins’ running game leaking oil this preseason, but help could be on the way.

According to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, Washington is expected to host veteran running back Adrian Peterson for a visit on Monday. Garafolo adds that the 33-year-old Peterson is apparently in great shape.

Peterson will be the third free agent running back that the Redskins are hosting/working out. On Sunday, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported that former Denver Broncos running back Jamaal Charles is scheduled to meet with the team.

That report came on the heels of Washington reportedly working out former New York Giants running back Orleans Darkwa on Sunday too.

As we can see, Washington is playing no games when it comes to finding a replacement for Guice. But out of the three running backs which one is the best fit for Washington?

How does Adrian Peterson fit in with the Redskins?

If we take a look at Peterson, he is on the downside of his career, but still believes he can play. Last season, the former first-round pick spent time with both the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals.

With the Saints, Peterson did not fit in well and it showed immediately. In only four games, he had 81 rushing yards with a career-low yards per carry average of 3.0. 

It was disappointing to see the once-heralded back struggle in New Orleans as he was not the first or second option in their backfield.

Consequently, the Saints traded Peterson to the Arizona Cardinals for a sixth-round pick in this past year’s NFL draft.

In Arizona, Peterson immediately became the number one option in the backfield with David Johnson injured.

The veteran running back showed everybody in his first game with the Cardinals that he had something left in the tank, gashing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense for 134 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns.

Later in the season, Peterson racked up another record-setting performance, rushing for 159 yards on 37 carries against the lowly San Francisco 49ers. 

Can Peterson replicate that same production with Washington? It is possible because he would be their early-down back with Chris Thompson filling in on passing downs. But he is still 33-years-old, which is considered ancient for an NFL running back.

Therefore, if Peterson is too old, what about Charles or Darkwa?

Aforementioned, Charles spent last season with Denver and just like Peterson, looked as if time passed him by. In 14 games, the 31-year-old running back rushed for 296 yards on 69 carries and a touchdown.

Earlier this offseason, Charles reportedly met with New Orleans, but nothing came from it. If he joined Washington, Charles would not be an every-down back and could struggle to get on the field.

Last but not least, Darkwa could be a nice low-risk, high-reward signing. The former Tulane running back had a career-year with the Giants last season.

Darkwa had 751 rushing yards on 171 carries and five touchdowns, giving New York some semblance of a running game in a lost 2017 season. 

However, the Giants did not bring back Darkwa as they opted to sign veteran Jonathan Stewart in free agency and selected former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick in the NFL draft.

This offseason, Darkwa underwent surgery to remove a plate in his leg. If he is healthy to play, the best move for the Redskins would be to sign Darkwa.