Peterson to start for Redskins in Week 2

Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said veteran running back Adrian Peterson will start when the Dallas Cowboys visit FedEx Field in Week 2, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Peterson was a healthy scratch for the Redskins' season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Second-year runner Derrius Guice got the start in his NFL debut after missing his entire rookie campaign with a torn ACL.

However, Guice was ineffective and then sustained another knee injury. The LSU product is now expected to miss an extended period with a meniscus issue, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Gruden had previously seemed less than enthusiastic about the idea of going with Peterson at running back.

"I think it will be week-to-week," Gruden said about Peterson's playing time heading into the season. "So if we have a game where we think we can run the ball 55 times a game in an I-formation, then sure, I'll get him up."

With Guice now sidelined, Peterson and Chris Thompson - who is more of a third-down specialist - are the team's options at running back.

When Guice's ACL tear thrust Peterson into the starting role last year, the 34-year-old responded with a revival season, posting 1,042 yards and seven touchdowns on 251 carries after amassing just 602 yards in the previous three years combined.