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The Washington Redskins appear to have yet another setback with their running back depth. A week after losing second-round pick Derrius Guice for the season to a torn ACL, the Redskins’ Byron Marshall will be out two to four weeks with an ankle injury, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Another hit to the #Redskins' backfield depth: Byron Marshall is expected to miss 2 to 4 weeks with an ankle injury, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 17, 2018
Marshall exited Thursday’s preseason win over the New York Jets after two carries. The Redskins announced that Marshall suffered a “lower leg injury” on his second carry of the game. He was slow to get up and needed assistance to get to the sidelines.
Marshall had entered the game at running back after last season’s leading rusher Samaje Perine exited the game with an ankle injury after one carry, a 30-yard gain. Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said both would be fine following the game Thursday, per JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington.
The Redskins entered training camp with arguably the deepest group of talent at running back with Marshall, Perine, and Guice joining Robert Kelley, Chris Thompson and Kapri Bibbs. Marshall, Perine, Kelley, Thompson, and Bibbs all played a significant role for the Redskins in 2017 in large due to a rash of injuries. Adding Guice, who many expected to be the Week 1 starter for the regular season, made the Redskins that much more formidable and the decision on which backs to keep for the 53-man roster as difficult.
However, now the Redskins are down at least two backs — pending confirmation of Perine’s injury — before the regular season starts. Marshall was working his way into being a primary kick returner for Washington, as well. He had one return for 20 yards against the Jets. He also figured to be a factor as a receiving option out of the backfield as Thompson continues to work back after suffering a broken leg last November.
Marshall’s injury will leave the Redskins with Bibbs, Kelley, and undrafted rookie Martez Carter as the three known fully healthy running backs currently on the roster until more is learned about Perine.
