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Adrian Peterson is back. That’s just not a figurative statement, the 33-year old looked every bit of a starting running back. Dawning a Washington Redskins’ uniform for the first time, Peterson rolled through the Denver Broncos’ defense for the tune of 56 yards on 11 carries.
Peterson started at running back with much of the first unit with him. From the onset on his first carry it was clear Peterson had a burst and pop in his step that has been gone from him the past couple of seasons, as he powered through a hole created by fullback J.P. Holtz for seven yards.
He's BAAAAACK.
Every @AdrianPeterson carry in his #NFLPreseason debut with the @Redskins! #DENvsWAS https://t.co/X04ZKHQdro
— NFL (@NFL) August 25, 2018
He kept the impressive runs coming. On a zone run, Peterson drifted with the blocking but saw the gap inside. A quick shuffle and cut back pushed him right in the gap he needed to be, bursting through for 13 yards.
Adrian Peterson showing that I'm an idiot for saying he's not a zone runner. 13 yards on a wide zone here #Redskins pic.twitter.com/TTcA36n13J
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) August 24, 2018
With all due respect, Peterson’s quick read and ability to burst through the right gap has been long missing from the Redskins backfield. That’s a move that may not be made by Robert Kelley or Samaje Perine.
Through his 11 carries, one stood out the most. On a 4th-and-inches, Peterson stretched the run and after getting a huge block from Holtz, got to the outside moving forward to get enough for the first down. But he also got another good block, this time from Vernon Davis, that allowed him to kick into another gear with a cut back up field for a 15-yard gain.
Adrian Peterson's 4th down run, manages to bounce it outside and pick up 15 yards. #Redskins pic.twitter.com/F2260441h7
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) August 25, 2018
One game is usually too small of a sample size, however, it was enough to see that Peterson is more than capable right now to at the least be part of a 53-man roster. Averaging five yards a carry puts a stamp on his placement with the team heading into the regular season. With such a strong performance, Peterson put every running back on the Redskins roster on notice that he is not just a camp body.
