Still going: Peterson hits 1K, passes Dickerson
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson surpassed 1,000 yards for the season Saturday, becoming the oldest running back to reach the milestone in 34 years.
In the process, the 33-year-old Peterson surpassed one of his idols — Eric Dickerson — to move into eighth on the all-time rushing list.
With a 5-yard run with 14:55 left in the fourth quarter Saturday, Adrian Peterson passed the 1,000-yard mark for the season to become the fifth player in NFL history to rush for that many yards at age 33 or older:
Peterson entered Saturday’s game against the Tennessee Titans needing 77 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. He ran for 60 yards in the first half and gained the necessary yards on his first carry in the fourth quarter, a 5-yard gain.
He is 2 months older than Frank Gore was when he accomplished the feat two years ago, making Peterson the oldest player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since former Redskins running back John Riggins did so in 1984.
It’s the eighth time Peterson has rushed for 1,000 yards in his career. He said recently that topping that number was “easy” for him. However, he hadn’t reached the mark since 2015.
He had 601 combined yards the past two seasons, enduring whispers of his career being over.
Peterson did not sign with the Redskins until several days before the third preseason game in August.
He accomplished the 1,000-yard feat behind a Redskins offensive line that has been ravaged by injuries. The Redskins have started at least five pairs of guards this season; starters Shawn Lauvao and Brandon Scherff both went out for the season in a Week 8 loss to Atlanta.
Since then, it has been a struggle for the run game. Peterson rushed for 90 or more yards five times in the first eight games; he topped 52 yards only twice since then.
On Saturday, he finished with 119 yards on 26 carries in the Redskins’ 25-16 loss.