The Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday signed running back Adrian Peterson to their practice squad in an attempt to shore up an injury-riddled backfield.
Peterson comes to the Seahawks a week after the Tennessee Titans released him.
Here are three benefits the Seahawks get by signing the 14-year NFL veteran:
3. Veteran Leadership
Peterson, 36, immediately becomes the oldest player in the Seahawks’ organization, which includes the 53-man roster, reserve/injured list, and practice squad.
Offensive tackle Duane Brown, 36, is the only other current Seahawks player older than 35.
Peterson has been around so long, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told media members about how he tried to recruit Peterson while coaching at USC.
Instead, Peterson played for Oklahoma from 2004-2006.
“It’s a player that I’ve known forever way back to his high-school days (in Texas) and I’ve admired him tremendously over the years,” Carroll said. “(I was) always disappointed we didn’t get him back in the day, but like I just told him, we finally got him.
“So I’m looking forward to see how he does and see what he can fit in. He’s an incredible competitor and a great guy, and so I’m anxious to get him a chance to get on the field with our boys.”
Pete Carroll say team has finally signed Adrian Peterson. #Seahawks @CascadiasportsN pic.twitter.com/DW4sbtKA4D
— MazvitaMaraire (@MazvitaMaraire) December 1, 2021
Peterson ranks fifth in NFL history with 14,902 career rushing yards.
He spent the first 10 years of his NFL career (2007-2016) with the Minnesota Vikings.
Peterson has since played for the Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, Washington Football Team and the Titans.
In Peterson’s three-game stint this season with the Titans, he totaled 82 yards rushing on three yards per carry.
Peterson helped fill in for the injured Derrick Henry.
2. Running Back Depth
Injuries have devastated Seahawks running backs this season.
The Seahawks have been without starting running back Chris Carson since Week 5 due to a season-ending neck injury that required surgery.
During Monday’s 17-15 loss to Washington, the Seahawks played without Rashaad Penny (hamstring) and Travis Homer (calf).
Alex Collins and DeeJay Dallas are the only other healthy running backs on the Seahawks’ 53-man roster.
An abdomen injury limited Collins during Wednesday’s practice.
Penny was also limited during Wednesday’s practice.
Penny has a chance to play in Week 13 against the 49ers, according to Carroll.
The Seahawks do not plan to put Penny on injured reserve, Carroll said.
Carroll said it’s unclear if Homer will play on Sunday.
However, Homer fully participated in Wednesday’s practice.
1. Establishing The Running Game
The Seahawks average 92.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks 25th in the NFL.
Seattle mustered a season-low 34 yards rushing in the loss to Washington.
While the Seahawks eclipsed 100 yards rushing in there of the four games Carson played, they have not rushed for more than 90 yards in any of their past five games:
- Week 12 against the Washington Football Team: 34 yards rushing
- Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals: 86 yards rushing
- Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers: 75 yards rushing
- Week 9: Bye week
- Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars: 69 yards rushing
- Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints: 90 yards rushing
The Seahawks are 1-4 in their last five games.
In the Seahawks’ last seven games, they have one game of more than 100 rushing yards.
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