Adrian Peterson will get the opportunity to exact some revenge when his Detroit Lions host the Washington Football Team on Sunday. Peterson was cut by Washington in September prior the start of the season. He signed with the Lions just two days later.
The Lions running back vows to show Washington what they are missing.
“I would be lying to you if I told you that chip on my shoulder wasn’t there,” Peterson told Darren Haynes of WUSA-9. “They will get to realize what they let go.”
Peterson, who is fifth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list, played two seasons in Washington. He led the team in rushing each of those two seasons. However, with Ron Rivera settled in his first year as Washington’s head coach, Peterson was abruptly released in favor of a youth movement in their backfield led by rookie Antonio Gibson and scatback JD McKissic.
“It was an awkward situation,” Peterson said. “It was like bam, I was cut, just like that with no notice.”
Peterson entered training camp as the featured back. But as camp closed, Gibson started getting more first-team reps before Peterson was ultimately cut. Washington believed Gibson and McKissic provided their offense more versatility at running back.
This season, Peterson has 350 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 93 carries with the Lions. In comparison, Gibson has flashed his potential, leading the team with 391 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 90 carries. He’s also added 22 catches for 183 yards. Meanwhile, McKissic has been a good complement with 168 yards on 35 carries, adding 34 catches for 248 receiving yards.
