The Washington Football Team lost running back Peyton Barber from their practice squad on Friday when the Las Vegas Raiders signed him to their active roster, per Ben Standig of The Athletic.
The Raiders are signing RB Peyton Barber off of Washington’s practice squad, per source. Barber will join the 53-player roster in Las Vegas.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 3, 2021
Barber was expected to be Washington’s No. 3 running back again in 2021, but undrafted rookie Jaret Patterson beat him out for a roster spot, and Washington released Barber. The team quickly re-signed him to the practice squad one day later.
In 16 games last season, Barber rushed 94 times for 258 yards and four touchdowns. He was utilized as Washington’s short-yardage back for the entire season.
For his five-year career, Barber has carried the ball 645 times for 2,245 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has 19 career touchdowns. Barber has averaged 3.5 yards per attempt for his career.
This isn’t a major loss for Washington. Running backs like Barber can be signed off the street or other practice squads at any time during the season. It was a surprise Las Vegas coach Jon Gruden would even choose to sign Barber.
Starter Antonio Gibson will likely handle short-yardage situations in 2021.
