Derrius

Guice

Guice was released by the Football Team last August after horrific details of alleged domestic violence emerged. It was then revealed that Guice was twice accused of rape at LSU. Guice, who missed his entire 2019 rookie season with an MCL injury, likely won’t ever play pro football again.

A Virginia judge subsquently dismissed the charges against Guice, who was released by Washington last August after being charged with three counts of assault and battery, destruction of property, and one count of strangulation. Guice, 23, a second round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, could have faced prison time if he had been convicted. Guice has played five regular season games in the NFL and is unlikely to catch on with another team this summer.

The paper reports LSU was informed of the allegations, but that “the school does not appear to have investigated.” Thanks in part to USA Today, it appears the Washington Football Team found out earlier this month before Guice was charged with domestic violence and subsequently released. The team was conducting its own investigation, one that likely would have resulted in Guice’s release even without the new allegations. 23-year-old Guice will never play NFL football again.

Washington released Guice after he was arrested for domestic violence. Guice will face a lengthy suspension if a team is willing to take the PR hit and sign the running back. It’s unlikely that he gets a second chance until his current charges are settled, and Guice came into the league already with off the field issues. Most, if not all, teams will have zero interest.

The charges include three counts of assault and battery, destruction of property, and one count of strangulation — a felony charge. It’s the latest downward trend for Guice, who missed 11 games to knee setbacks last year after losing his entire rookie season to ACL surgery. Guice is facing at least a six-game suspension under the NFL’s domestic violence policy and is in danger of getting released. This clears a path to snaps for Bryce Love and rookie Antonio Gibson.

Guice was released following his domestic violence-related arrest. Washington is cutting ties with Guice, but this is another bad look for an organization that’s been under fire this offseason. ESPN’s John Keim reports that charges against Guice stemmed from three separate incidents earlier this year. With Guice gone, Washington will move forward with Bryce Love and rookie Antonio Gibson competing with Adrian Peterson for snaps. Guice will be facing a minimum six-game suspension if he lands a second chance.

“He’s a little bit bigger than Christian, but he’s got a skill set like Christian,” said Rivera, who obviously coached McCaffrey for two seasons. “This is a very versatile, young football player that we really think is going to be a guy that can get on the field for us early and contribute.” Gibson was designated as a wide receiver when selected with the No. 66 overall pick but has since been discussed as a running back who will align all over (including in the slot and out wide) Washington’s formation. Arguably the most efficient player in the nation (15.6 yards per touch) last year, it sounds as if the team’s coaching staff is completely on board in utilizing Gibson’s versatility after he led all FBS skill players in yards after contact per attempt (8.0) with the Tigers last year.

Rivera noted that before Carolina landed Christian McCaffrey, he had always been the type of coach to lean on multiple backs. Guice was explosive (42/254/2, 5.83 YPC) in his five-game trial run last year but remains a perpetual question mark following multiple knee injuries to both legs. With Chris Thompson unlikely to return in free agency, 22-year-old Guice should still receive the first crack on passing downs while Peterson shores up the team’s goal line work. Love is an intriguing stash in dynasty formats.

Peterson will be back in Washington for his age-35 season. Coach Ron Rivera notes Peterson’s leadership is vital to the organization as they look to change the culture with a new regime. Peterson led the team in rushing last season (898 yards and 5 touchdowns on 211 carries) but should take a back seat to Derrius Guice if the youngster can get healthy. Peterson will be a very forgettable handcuff entering 2020 fantasy drafts.

Guice’s latest knee issue will cost him the final three games of his sophomore campaign after he missed his entire rookie year. Guice confirmed his upside this season, averaging a top-flight 5.8 yards per carry in one of the league’s worst offenses, but also his downside, as he simply can’t stay on the field. Still only 22, Guice did enough this year to keep himself in the running for lead-back duties in 2020, but his health should be at the forefront of both the Redskins and dynasty players’ minds.