Redskins news: Trent Williams says Adrian Peterson 'hasn't slowed down a step'

The Washington Redskins are working out veteran running back Adrian Peterson on Monday. Offensive lineman Trent Williams believes his former teammate hasn't lost a step.

Throughout much of the offseason, there have been several notable proven running back still left on the open market without a contract in place to continue their respective NFL careers. Among those is former league MVP Adrian Peterson, who had yet to receive any significant interest from any team until the Washington Redskins came calling.

With the Redskins dealing with injuries to their backfield, it made offensive lineman Trent Williams think about why his longtime friend in Peterson was still without a job in the league. In fact, Williams believes that the former Pro Bowl running back is an exception to the stigma about older running backs, according to Matthew Paras of The Washington Times.

“I don’t understand the stigma when people get 31, 32, 33 — they somehow just slow down?” Williams said. “You don’t. That’s a gifted athlete, you know? He has a gift. Did Darrell Green ever lose his speed? He didn’t. Some things are just always with you. It’s you, it’s your makeup, it’s your DNA. … So, no, he’s the same athlete that you’re used to seeing.

“He hasn’t slowed down a step.”

Peterson had shown that he plenty of gas left in the tank last season after he was traded from the New Orleans Saints midseason to the Arizona Cardinals notching 448 rushing yards on 129 carries in six games. This included a pair of performances with more than 130 rushing yards before a neck injury prematurely ended his season. However, it may be this stigma along with the slew of injuries he has struggled over the last few years that has left him without a new home in the NFL.

What also hasn't helped him out is that he has struggled to show that he can be a major factor in the passing game as he has primarily proven to be a factor in the running game. The NFL has adapted more to utilizing running backs that can demonstrate to be dual threats in both aspects of the offense.

It is clear that Peterson still has the desire to continue his illustrious career, which it will come down to having the opportunity presented in front of him to do so.