Vikings running back Dalvin Cook showed incredible promise during the first four games of his rookie season. A non-contact ACL tear against the Lions changed everything.Cook Greg Gaines Jersey , plagued by other injuries in 2018, is now healthy and ready to contribute as much as the team wants him to contribute.“I was brought here to do a job, and my job is to carry the football as many times as they want to hand it to me,” Cook said Saturday, via Chris Tomasson of the . “I was just unfortunate enough [to have] some injuries and some bumps in the road. But now that I’m having fun, back to being me, however many times [quarterback] Kirk [Cousins] drops back and hands me that football, I’m going to show enough, run it as hard as I can.”Cook’s current health and past performances have created anticipation that he could carry the ball 20 times per game. Coach Mike Zimmer prefers not to focus on that.“Let’s do what we need to do to win and not worry about who gets the carries or how many yards they get,” Zimmer said, via Tomasson.But Zimmer clearly wants more running Christian Wilkins Jersey , and the revised offensive coaching staff is designed to do just that. Whether it’s Cook or someone else, the ball will be moved on the ground more than it was last year.And as to Cook, it’s easy to be optimistic while healthy. But durability remains one of the most important abilities of an NFL running back. The best running backs avoid getting injured, either because that’s how their bodies are constructed or that’s how they run the ball, by avoiding needless contact and evading big hits.Cook has the skills to move the chains. This year, he needs to show that he can be available to do it, every week. WASHINGTON (AP) — Adrian Peterson believes he still has something left.The 33-year-old running back had his first practice with the Redskins on Tuesday, a day after signing a one-year deal with Washington.“I can give a lot. I really believe that,” Peterson said following his first practice. “I feel like the sky is the limit.”Injuries and opportunity limited Peterson to 13 games over the past two seasons. He averaged 3.4 yards per carry in 10 games last season with the Saints and Cardinals.Peterson remained on the sideline throughout the offseason waiting for the next opportunity, a scenario he admitted was “rough.”His workouts continued. Peterson was in his native Oklahoma when his agent said the Redskins wanted a look. The three-time NFL rushing champion was ready.“I know what I have left in the tank,” Peterson said.Despite his career achievements http://www.miamidolphinsteamonline.com/michael-deiter-jersey , Peterson didn’t big-time the workout opportunity. He volunteered to join other free-agent options in various drills.“He’s actually a physical freak,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. “Some of the backs we had in here were huffing and puffing, keeling over. He was standing straight up. He could have gone for another two hours.”The Redskins decided they couldn’t go forward with their limited options at running back for the final two preseason games and possibly their Week 1 opener at Arizona on Sept. 9.Washington, 28th in yards rushing last season, addressed the concern by selecting running back Derrius Guice in the second round of the draft. The LSU product’s rookie year ended with a season-ending knee injury in the first preseason game against New England.The Redskins lost Samaje Perine and Byron Marshall for an extended period of time as both suffered ankle injuries in Thursday’s preseason win over the New York Jets.After waiving undrafted free agent Martez Carter with an injury designation, the Redskins had only three healthy running backs available. One of them, Chris Thompson, has yet to play in the preseason following last season’s broken fibula.Robert Kelley, a 2016 undrafted free agent who emerged as Washington’s No. 1 running back during his rookie year and started 2017 on top of the depth chart, remains in the starting mix. Kapri Bibbs offers some depth. Adding Peterson and De’Veon Smith provides more.What happens going forward remains unsettled.“We haven’t really gotten into detail, but obviously they brought me in here for a reason. I’m just going to play my role Garrett Bradbury Jersey , whatever it is,” said Peterson, whose is three years removed from rushing for 1,485 yards with the Vikings. He finished with 529 yards last season.Last season’s numbers provided data for doubters who believe Peterson’s difference-making days are done.“It shows me people don’t really know about football,” Peterson said of the naysayers. “When people say, (3.4) yards per carry, there’s a lot that contributes to that as well. I just brush it off and continue to work.”That work began Tuesday with the Redskins.“It’s his first practice. He did a great job today,” said Gruden, who stated he hoped to get Peterson some work in Friday’s preseason game against Denver.“You’ve got a Redskins jersey on. You’re here to compete and make the squad. It’s no different with (Adrian). We’ll just see how he does day after day.”