The Redskins have high expectations for Derrius Guice.
Washington released Samaje Perine last weekend because they believe Guice — who missed all of last season with a torn ACL after being selected in the second round of the 2018 draft — will be a reliable threat in the backfield, coach Jay Gruden told reporters Monday.
“It’s not so much about Samaje as it is about Derrius Guice, how much faith we have in him to carry the ball,” Gruden said, via the Washington Post. “We drafted him for a reason. We feel like he can be a first-, second- and even third-down back if needed. The offense, carries-wise, will probably go through him, pretty much.”
The 22-year-old running back rushed for 44 yards on 11 carries in his one preseason appearance.
"It was important to get him the ball," Gruden said after that game in mid-August. "Wanted to give him quite a few touches. Get him some rhythm, a sweat. Get used to hitting the ground, getting hit, tackled, protecting the football. … I think it was a productive night for him. Looked like he was decisive with his cuts, for the most part, ran with some power at times, moved the pile when there wasn't anything there. I was impressed."
The Redskins also have Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson on their roster and claimed Wendell Smallwood off waivers this week after he was released by the Eagles.
"If you’re going to put me on the field in certain situations, I think there’s no situation I can’t play in," Smallwood told reporters. "However it goes, they’ll figure out my role — that’s their job — and I’ll be ready to go.”
Washington will open the regular season against the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday.