5 Options at RB for Redskins after Guice knee surgery

Washington Redskins running back Derrius Guice had succesful surgery on his ailing right knee on Thursday. After the injury continued to bother him following Sunday's 10-carry, 18 -yard performance, the redshirt rookie runner opted for a second opinion and traveled to see Dr. James Andrews.

The surgery was performed the same day and it has been reported things went well. It leaves the club with a decision to make beyond this week, as they've already designated veteran and future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson as the new starter. What happens beyond this week, though? Washington has a few options at their behest.

Option 1 - Do nothing

Leave Guice on the roster and use one of the seven game-day inactive spots on him. The team keeps him on the 53-man roster and can bring him back as soon as he is healthy enough to play. The team would move forward with their current rotation of backs in Adrian Peterson, Chris Thompson and Wendell Smallwood.

If the team chooses to move Guice to injured reserve, that will of course open up a roster spot. There are several players around the league who could be considered to fill that void.

The club has both rookie Bryce Love and Shaun Wilson on PUP and IR respectively, and could look to them during the middle of the season.

Alfred Morris

Morris is of course a fan favorite from his first several seasons in Washington. Now in his eighth year, he's expanded his skill set some, to occasionally include receiving, but likely not enough to make a dent in any team's passing game. He spent much of the summer with Dallas, as a contingency plan to Ezekiel Elliott's holdout, but was released prior to Week 1. He spent two years in Dallas in 2016 and 2017, before suiting up for the 49ers in 2018.

Craig Reynolds

Reynolds is currently the back who is on the practice squad and makes the most sense. He's been with the team since the summer and during the week, there's really no separation between he and the players on the 53-man roster. The difference between him and a healthy scratch is basically level of weekly pay.

Byron Marshall

Marshall was on the club's original 53-man roster for the season before being released. he ended up signing with the Buffalo Bills to be a member of their 10-man practice squad. Washington could sign him, per NFL roster rules, for a minimum of three weeks. Marshall would have the option to decline the offer, but again the pay difference between a regular roster spot and one on the practice squad is rather significant.

Unfamiliar Street Free Agents

Washington could also try and pluck a running back from off the street, one they don't have much of a history with. Seeing the success the Los Angeles Rams had in inking C.J. Anderson in his roundish shape down the stretch of the season, this option shouldn't be overlooked.

Jay Ajayi - Last played with Philadelphia
Alex Collins - Last played with Baltimore
Javorius Allen - Last played with New Orleans
Doug Martin - Last played with Oakland
Chris Ivory - Last played with Buffalo

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