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Derrius Guice injury update: Torn ACL, out for season

By Matt Verderame

RICHMOND, VA., July 28, 2018. Washington Redskins running back Derrius Guice (29) was all smiles as he entered the field for the first day in pads during training camp. (Photo by: Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA., July 28, 2018. Washington Redskins running back Derrius Guice (29) was all smiles as he entered the field for the first day in pads during training camp. (Photo by: Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins got unfortunate news on Friday afternoon, with rookie running back Derrius Guice getting the diagnosis of a torn ACL.

Washington thought it was able to avoid disaster on Thursday night, when running back Derrius Guice left the Redskins’ preseason tilt with the New England Patriots. While the original notion was that Guice sprained his MCL, and MRI revealed that Guice indeed tore his ACL, ending his rookie season before it began.

For the Redskins, thesis a brutal blow to a team already dealing with injury issues at the position. Chris Thompson is expected back at some point during the season, but he’s still working his way back from a leg injury. While Thompson could be back for the regular-season opener on Sept. 9, it remains an uncertainty.

Washington was hoping for Guice to be a bell cow this season after starring alongside Leonard Fournette at LSU. The youngster ran for 1,387 yards as a sophomore before churning out 1,251 yards as a junior with the Tigers. Despite his production, Guice slipped into the second round where the Redskins gladly scooped him up.

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At 5-foot-11 and 224 pounds, Guice is a bruising running back. The Redskins could have used the support for an offense with a new starting quarterback in Alex Smith. The receivers have ability, but it’s an unheralded group with Jamison Crowder, Paul Richardson and Josh Doctson leading the way.

Still, Washington has no choice but to move on. The Redskins suffered the first major injury of the preseason with the loss of Guice, who hopefully can rehab properly and get back to his previous form come next season.