Adrian Peterson to get another chance to resurrect his NFL career

Veteran running back Adrian Peterson will get another chance to resurrect his NFL career.

According to multiple reports on Wednesday, the Washington Redskins will start Peterson in the season opener Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

"I feel like anyone who's doing anything, you always have some doubters who give up on you, and it motivates you to keep pressing forward," said Peterson, who started six games for the Cardinals last season before getting picked up by the Redskins. "So that's been part of my motivation."

When asked if he knows how many carries he wants for Peterson on Sunday, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said, "You know what, no. Ideally, it'd be about 40. ...

"As the game goes on we'll see how it goes. These guys are pretty good against the run. They like to stack the box also. It's a matter of how we're blocking and the big thing is ... staying out of third and long. But sometimes you have to risk that to try and pound the rock a couple times on first and second down.

"We feel good about his talent, his skill set, but we also feel good about Rob Kelley, Samaje and Chris."

Peterson is 33 years old and has rushed for 12,276 yards in his career (12th all-time) during 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and one-year stops with the New Orleans Saints and Cardinals. In Arizona, he gained 448 yards on the ground in six games while averaging 3.5 yards a carry. He twice surpassed 130 yards in a game but totaled less than 30 yards in three other games.

The Redskins know that some aging running backs can still have a lot left in the tank. John Riggins capped a Hall of Fame career with Washington, compiling his best rushing seasons at ages 34 and 35. Riggins rushed for 1,347 yards and a then-NFL record 24 touchdowns in 1983 for the eventual NFC champs. He ran for 1,239 yards and 14 touchdowns the following season, then retired after the 1985 season.