Derrius Guice has played five of a possible 32 NFL games. The 2018 second-round pick fared well in limited time for the Redskins last season, averaging 5.8 yards per carry on 42 attempts, but saw more injury trouble intervene. Knee trouble has dogged Guice at nearly ever turn as an NFLer, but the former LSU standout does at least expect to be ready to go by the time Washington’s first Ron Rivera-led offseason program opens.
“I’m feeling pretty good about entering OTAs 100% healthy,” Guice said, via The Athletic’s Rhiannon Walker (subscription required). “So that’s the most important thing to me. It’s very comforting to feel that and have that mindset going into OTAs and then training camp and then the season.
“… The main thing is actually like getting through games healthy. I’ve been a practice All-American so far, and I’m trying to bring that to the field, so that’s kind of where I’m at with it.”
Guice missed 2018 with a torn ACL, underwent another knee surgery early last season and, after returning from IR, sustained MCL damage en route to the Redskins shutting him down. With a new regime being assembled in Washington, Guice will face a key season in 2020.
Here is the latest from the NFC East, moving first to a player who will not be with the 2020 Redskins:
- Former Redskins tight end Vernon Davis announced his retirement in a Super Bowl Sunday sketch with Rob Gronkowski and James Harrison but elaborated on his decision this week. “Just the simple wear and tear over time. Especially those concussions,” Davis said in a letter (via NBC Sports Washington’s Ethan Cadeaux). “They can take a toll on you in the long haul. It’s just better safe than sorry. But if it wasn’t for that throughout the course of time, then I probably would have played for the next five years, at least. But I feel like I made a great decision as I move forward.” Davis missed most of last season with a concussion, had already played 14 seasons and turned 36 two weeks ago. He was set to be a 2020 free agent after four Redskins seasons.
- Byron Jones is not the only Cowboys cornerback who will be an unrestricted free agent come March. Dallas’ four-year slot corner, Anthony Brown, is on track for free agency but does not expect nearly the same kind of deal as Jones will receive. Brown may be eyeing a short-term pact in order to re-establish his value after an injury-marred season, with Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News noting Brown’s reps expect their client to earn roughly $10MM in total on his next contract. Still, Watkins expects that will be beyond what the Cowboys will authorize. Dallas losing both Jones and Brown will make corner a need area, despite both Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis under contract for next season.
- Leonard Williams has set a high price for his services, despite minimal statistical production. The Giants, however, are “intent” on keeping their 2019 trade acquistion.
Time for the Redskins to move on from Guice who can never stay healthy. Maybe go after Melvin Gordon if he becomes a FA.
I’d disagree there. He’s way too talented to simply move on from, even if he has been injury prone. It’s not as if he’s on the verge of breaking the bank this season. As long as they keep AP around, or another capable back, I’d roll with him. I just wouldn’t tax him with an overly heavy workload at the onset.
The Redskins were dead last in offensive plays and time of possession last season so I don’t think you have to worry about Guice or any other RB being subjected to an overly heavy workload…lol.