Jay Gruden hinted to it this week, but the possibility of making Redskins running back Adrian Peterson inactive for Sunday’s season opener has become a reality. Earlier reports have confirmed that Peterson will be a healthy scratch against the Eagles in a coach’s decision.
That decision is not sitting well with veteran Redskins teammates of Peterson, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
Several Redskins veterans were “not happy” about Peterson not dressing for the game. Garafolo added that Peterson’s teammates understand the matter for special teams but how could Gruden do this to a “guy that bailed us out last year and ran for a thousand yards.”
Recently added Wendell Smallwood is expected to be active as the Redskins’ third running back behind starter Derrius Guice and Chris Thompson in place of Peterson.
Gruden’s decision puts a lot of trust into Guice, who will get a bulk of the carries. Guice is coming off a torn ACL during his rookie season. The former LSU product had just 11 carries during the preseason — all 11 coming in a Week 3 dress rehearsal against Atlanta. Meanwhile, Peterson who led the Redskins with 1,042 rushing yards and seven touchdowns last season, will watch in street clothes.
