Rob

Kelley

Kelley is wearing the number that was assigned to Buck Allen, who has not practiced so far in camp because of an injury, so that likely means he is replacing Allen on the roster. Kelley had a good run in Washington, but there is not much exciting about his game. He will be lucky to grab a roster spot out of camp. Kelley did lose 15 pounds over the offseason to better fit into today’s NFL.

Kelley was a restricted free agent, but he was not tendered an offer by the Redskins, sending him to the open market. Kelley touched the ball just four times last year before landing on injured reserve with a toe issue. The 26-year-old owns a career 3.9 YPC.

Kelley was injured in Sunday’s loss to the Colts. It sounds like he will be a candidate for return. Kelley must sit at least eight games. Samaje Perine will slot in as the Redskins’ No. 3 back.

Jones has a “second degree” separation. It’s discouraging news, but ultimately not alarming. The Redskins have every reason to be cautious with their sophomore back, and even if he needs the reps, it’s not worth risking a setback. Jones is still the clear starter heading into Week 1. Coach Jay Gruden has said UDFA Rob Kelley will get “a lot” of first-team reps in Jones’ absence.

Seventh-rounder Keith Marshall will get “some,” according to the Washington Post. It’s become crystal clear that Kelley has moved past Marshall on the depth chart, and will begin the season as Jones’ primary handcuff. That makes him worth a last-round flier in re-draft leagues. Kelley has 10 carries for 48 yards and a touchdown through two preseason games.

The Redskins weren’t thrilled with Marshall’s impatience behind the line of scrimmage in the preseason opener, a trait he’s also exhibited on the practice field. Albeit against Atlanta’s deep reserves, Kelley shined with 40 yards on seven carries and two catches for 13 yards. Kelley stands 5-foot-11, 226 and ran a 4.68 forty at Tulane’s Pro Day. He is a Matt Asiata-caliber athlete.

Kelley popped off this preseason, rushing 38 times for 198 yards (5.21 YPC). Tandler believes Jones would have handled 75 percent of the Redskins’ carries, but he thinks Kelley’s strong preseason has pushed it more of a 60-40 split in favor of Jones, with Kelley as the clear No. 2. Jones has been persistently banged up, while Kelley has shown downhill running skills, even if he isn’t going to outrun anybody. Kelley is worth a flier in all leagues.

The performance was nothing to write home about, but Kelley’s place on the depth chart is the real story. Kelley worked ahead of seventh-round rookie Keith Marshall and took on a good chunk of the early-down work once Matt Jones left with an AC sprain. With Jones questionable for Week 1, Kelley is suddenly an interesting deep sleeper.

Redskins No. 4 back Mack Brown (19-149-1) also had a big night. Kelley is the headliner, though, after beating out Keith Marshall and Matt Jones injured his shoulder. A decisive, downhill runner without great speed (4.68), Kelley finishes the preseason with 38 carries for 198 yards (5.21 YPC). The undrafted rookie out of Tulane is a deep sleeper in 12- and 14-team leagues.

His most impressive work came in blitz protection, where Kelley stoned several would-be rushers on the Bills’ defense. Kelley is a between-the-tackles grinder with 4.68 speed, but he suddenly has intriguing theoretical opportunity with Matt Jones (shoulder) and Keith Marshall (elbow) both on the shelf. We suspect Washington is going to add a back before or at final cuts.