The Redskins have designated running back Byron Marshall to return from injured reserve, tweets veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer.
Marshall was placed on injured reserve in September after initially being carried through to the Redskins’ initial 53-man roster. NFL rules stipulate that any player who returns from IR must have been on his club’s original 53-man roster, and also mandates a minimum eight-week absence. As such, Marshall can now be activated at any point over the next three weeks; if he’s not, Marshall must stay on IR for the remainder of the season.
At one point, Washington’s running back depth chart looked extremely dire after Derrius Guice, Rob Kelley, and Marshall were all placed on injured reserve. Of course, Adrian Peterson has turned back the clock since then and established himself as the club’s clear top running back. But that doesn’t mean Marshall can’t find a role behind Peterson, Chris Thompson, Samaje Perine, and Kapri Bibbs (although one of the latter two would likely be cut if Marshall is brought back off IR).
Marshall joined the Redskins last November after Washington signed him away from the Eagles’ practice squad. An undrafted free agent in 2016, Marshall managed nine carries for 32 yards in four games with the Redskins in 2017, and also chipped in on 34 special teams plays. However, a hamstring injury ended his campaign in early December.