Will Peterson Return to the NFL?

Will Peterson Return to the NFL? is a blog dedicated to discussing the potential return of former All-Pro linebacker Peterson to the NFL.

Peterson’s Injury

Peterson, who missed 13 games last season with a neck injury, was placed on the physically unable to perform list by the Redskins on Wednesday. The move was expected as the 32-year-old running back continues to recover from the injury that cut his season short. Peterson is eligible to come off the PUP list at any time during training camp, but it’s unclear when he’ll be healthy enough to return to the field.

Peterson’s ACL tear

In December 2011, Peterson tore his ACL and MCL in a game against the Washington Redskins. He underwent surgery to repair the damage and was sidelined for the rest of the season. The following year, he made a remarkable recovery and was back on the field for the start of the 2012 season. He went on to have one of the best seasons of his career, rushing for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns.

His return from injury

Will Peterson return to the NFL?
This is the big question after Peterson’s serious neck injury that caused him to miss the entire 2016 season.

The answer, unfortunately, is unknown.

Peterson is currently a free agent, and while there have been reports that he is interested in returning to football, there has been no indication that any team is interested in signing him.

Given the severity of his injury, it seems unlikely that Peterson would be able to play at the same level he did before. And even if he does try to come back, there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to stay healthy for an entire season.

So for now, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens with Peterson. If he does try to make a comeback, it’ll be one of the most fascinating stories in the NFL.

The NFL’s Reaction

It’s been a little over a year since Will Peterson was released by the New York Jets and he’s been keeping a low profile ever since. Peterson was one of the best running backs in the NFL, but his career was cut short due to a series of injuries. Recently, there have been rumors that Peterson is interested in making a comeback and there has been a lot of speculation about what the NFL’s reaction will be.

How other NFL running backs have fared after an ACL tear

In recent years, we’ve seen a number of high-profile NFL running backs suffer season-ending ACL tears, including Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson, and Reggie Bush. All three of these players have experienced different levels of success in their return to the NFL, so let’s take a look at how each one fared.

Jamaal Charles:
Charles tore his ACL in week 5 of the 2011 season and returned in Week 1 of the 2012 season. He played in just two games that year before re-injuring his knee, but he bounced back in 2013 to lead the league in rushing yards (1,287) and average yards per game (80.4).

Adrian Peterson:
Peterson tore his ACL in week 16 of the 2011 season and returned in Week 1 of the 2012 season. He went on to win the MVP award that year after rushing for 2,097 yards, just nine yards shy of the single-season record.

Reggie Bush:
Bush tore his ACL in week 12 of the 2010 season and returned in Week 1 of the 2011 season. He missed four games that year due to injuries, but still managed to run for 986 yards and six touchdowns.

The NFL’s new rule changes

In the aftermath of the Ray Rice scandal, the NFL has come under intense scrutiny for its handling of domestic violence cases involving its players. In an effort to improve its policies, the league has recently announced a series of new rule changes regarding player conduct.

One of the most notable changes is that players who are arrested or charged with domestic violence will now be automatically suspended for six games. This is a significant increase from the previous punishment of a two-game suspension. The new rule also applies to players who are found to have committed other forms of violence, such as child abuse or sexual assault.

In addition to these suspensions, players who are convicted of domestic violence will also be subject to a lifetime ban from the NFL. This ban can only be overturned by a vote from the league’s owners.

These new rule changes come as a relief to many who were critical of the NFL’s handling of domestic violence cases in the past. It is hoped that these changes will help to create a safer environment for all involved.

Peterson’s Future

Will Peterson ever play in the NFL again? That is the question on everyone’s mind after the events of the past year. Peterson was one of the best running backs in the NFL, but he has not played since 2015.

His age

Peterson will turn 32 in March. That’s not ancient for a running back, but it’s definitely on the wrong side of 30. And while some players seem to get better with age (Tom Brady comes to mind), that’s usually not the case with running backs. In fact, most RBs see a significant decline in production once they hit 30.

His options

It’s been a while since we’ve seen Lights Out, but with free agency right around the corner there’s a chance we could see the former All-Pro back in the NFL. Here are his options.

1. Return to the Buccaneers – It’s no secret that the Buccaneers struggled on defense last season, and with Peterson set to hit free agency, they may look to bring him back in order to shore up their secondary.

2. Join a contending team – After spending most of his career with the Buccaneers, Peterson may want to join a team that has a chance to contend for a Super Bowl. If so, there are several teams that could use his services, including the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, and Seattle Seahawks.

3. Retirement – Perhaps the most likely option for Peterson is retirement. He’s already made over $100 million in his career, and at 33 years old, he may not have much left in the tank.