NFL Rumors: Future Hall Of Famer Running Back Content Filling Redskins Big Void

Adrian Peterson has had his ups and downs and appeared content signing a veteran's minimum with the Washington Redskins last NFL season. He signed a two-year $8 million deal to stay but had an odd start for 2019-20. That included being a healthy scratch in Week 1. Following the injury to Derrius Guice, coach Jay Gruden had no recourse but to start the seven-time Pro Bowler.

Even though the Redskins lost to the Dallas Cowboys, 31-21, Peterson made his presence felt. Not only was it his season debut for Washington, but it was also made extra special since he passed Jim Brown on the all-time touchdown list. It was the 107th career rushing touchdown for the 34-year-old which he considers a blessing, NBC Sports reported.

"Man, it's just a blessing. it continues to show me how blessed I am," Peterson said on passing Brown. "To have the opportunity and ability to pass some of the greats that paved the way."

However, that first game benching where Peterson was healthy remains up in the air. Is there something going on between Peterson and Gruden? Has the Redskins coach lost faith? These are just some of the questions in mind.

"If we have a game where we think we can run the ball 55 times in a game in I-formation then sure,” said Gruden in a report from Yahoo Sports. “I’ll get him up."

In fact, pundits feel that had Guice not gotten injured, Peterson would have had a rocky season. With the second-round pick of the Redskins in the 2018 NFL possibly missing six-to-eight weeks, Gruden may have no choice but to use Peterson for now.

With a seemingly growing rift between Peterson and Gruden, critics are now wondering why the 2012 NFL Most Valuable Player is still with the Redskins. Most believe he was kept for insurance but not meant to see that much action on the field. But with the Guice injury, the outlook has changed. The former Heisman Trophy winner is simply going with the flow and assures he is ready when he is called to perform.

“When the injury happened, it was like, OK. It’s next man up. It is what it is now, so. I’m still locked in on what we had to accomplish. And now it’s just get back into rhythm.”