Adrian Peterson's Future With the Redskins?

Adrian Peterson was one-yard shy of the century mark last week. He is a valuable part of a somewhat fragile locker room and organization. He's also a good mentor for Derrius Guice. That's all the more reason A-P should hold a critical role.

Adrian Peterson is heading to the hall-of-fame. Before he gets there, he still has more to give in this, his second season with the Redskins. 

Now the question is - will it be his last. 

After a 13-attempt, 99-yard performance and one touchdown in Charlotte to compliment Derrius Guice on Sunday and then a practice on Wednesday, Peterson caught up with reporters including Redskins Maven/SI.com in the Redskins locker room.

With four games remaining, Peterson is at 147 rushing attempts for 642 yards, a 4.4 average, 2 touchdowns and a long of 29 on the ground. Add in (11-98) as a receiver, which is far from his strength. 

He was deactivated for week one (for no great reason) and was criminally underused by Jay Gruden in the next four games. 

This after a combined 1,250 yards-from-scrimmage season last year with 8 total touchdowns, despite being brought in after Guice was lost for the year and Samaje Perine went out in the second preseason game. 

He was re-signed  a two-year contract this past March. He costs virtually nothing this year at $1.78 million under the salary cap. 

Next year, he only counts $3 million under the cap and if the Redskins want to move on before June 1st, they would only incur a $750 K dead money cap hit, per OverTheCap.com. 

Peterson has had slightly more rushing attempts than Guice overall since the second-year young buck returned from injured reserve. In two-of-three games, Peterson has had more opportunities than Guice. 

Whatever. It's not a big deal in my eyes, especially considering the numbers are very close and I still don't trust that Guice can be fully unleashed after the injuries he's had. 

In case you're wondering - the scoreboard over the last three games reads Adrian Peterson - (32-151), Derrius Guice - (27 - 185). 

Guice should be getting more work, if you need him. If you don't, you don't. They didn't on Sunday. 

However, I don't believe that Guice should be getting 25 attempts and Peterson with less than ten. It's a two-back league at a very physically demanding position. 

Of course Guice has more potential and more juice. He should. It doesn't mean that Peterson doesn't have a role, and a critical one. 

That's something Jay Gruden didn't get. It's a decision that Bill Callahan wisely made. 

Chris Russell is the Publisher of Maven & Sports Illustrated's Washington Redskins channel. He can be heard on 106.7 The FAN in the Washington D.C. area and world-wide on Radio.com. Chris also hosts the "Locked on Redskins" Podcast and can be read via subscription to Warpath Magazine. You can e-mail Chris at russellmania09@Gmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @Russellmania621.