Redskin Coach Decides He’ll Start George Rogers Over Riggins Sunday

The Washington Redskins, who have made the NFL playoffs for the past three years behind the running of John Riggins, will give the ball to George Rogers in their bid to overtake the leaders in the National Conference.

“I’d like to start George and give him a shot, an opportunity to step in there,” said Washington Coach Joe Gibbs on Monday. “I want to see what he can do. I feel George can be a big average-per-carry runner for us.”

Rogers, obtained from the New Orleans Saints in the off-season for a No. 1 draft choice, has rushed 137 times for 642 yards this season, including three touchdowns.

Riggins, who at 36 is the NFL’s oldest running back, has carried 176 times for 677 yards and 8 touchdowns. The fourth-leading rusher in NFL history, Riggins has looked like a shadow of his former self over the past three weeks, however, averaging just 2.3 yards a carry, gaining seven yards against the Giants, 44 against Pittsburgh and 39 against San Francisco on Sunday.

“Obviously, I feel he (Riggins) can still do the job, I’ve been playing him,” Gibbs said.

The Redskins meet the Philadelphia Eagles at Philadelphia on Sunday.

Rogers was given the nod ahead of Riggins two weeks ago against Pittsburgh but was forced to the sidelines with a concussion and ankle injury after picking up just 17 yards in 10 carries.