Fantasy Player Profile Joshua Kelley
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- RB #25
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JoshuaKelley
- AActive
- Manager: FA
vs. HOU: #3 vs opposing RB - 18.72 FPA
| Rushing | Receiving | Fum | Fantasy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk | Opp | Yds | TD | Yds | TD | Lost | Pts |
| 1 | @CHI, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 2 | NYJ, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 3 | GB, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 4 | @MIA, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 5 | Bye | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 6 | IND, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 7 | @BUF, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 8 | @DET, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 9 | NE, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 10 | @LAC, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 11 | MIN, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 12 | @HOU, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 13 | @WAS, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 14 | JAX, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 15 | CIN, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 16 | @IND, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 17 | @JAX, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 18 | HOU, | 2 | - | - | - | - | 0.20 |
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 130.00
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 180.20
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5 Bye
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
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Limited work in 2024
Kelley appeared in three regular-season games for the Titans in 2024, getting one carry for two yards.
Analysis: Kelley latched on with Tennessee in mid-October after being unable to make the Giants' 53-man roster out of training camp. The former Charger started on the practice squad but spent much of the campaign as a healthy scratch after being signed to the Titans' active roster in November. Headed for free agency this spring, Kelley will likely latch on somewhere as a camp body, but he'll struggle to find a regular role in an NFL backfield.
Published: Tue, Feb 18 at 12:43pm by Rotowire.com
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Inactive for Week 13
Kelley (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Sunday's matchup versus Washington.
Analysis: Kelley was active last week against Houston with Tyjae Spears held out while in concussion protocol. However, Kelley logged only two offensive snaps and didn't get a touch in that game, and he won't suit up Sunday versus the Commanders with Spears back in action.
Published: Sun, Dec 1 at 10:00am by Rotowire.com
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Healthy scratch for Week 10
Kelley (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Analysis: Kelley was signed to the active roster Nov. 2 to provide depth in the Titans' backfield. However, his services will not be needed Sunday as Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears and Julius Chestnut will all play.
Published: Sun, Nov 10 at 11:43am by Rotowire.com
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Signed to active roster
The Titans signed Kelley off the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Kelley was released by the Giants at the end of training camp, but he managed to catch on with the Titans' practice squad Oct. 15. With Tyjae Spears (hamstring) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots and lead back Tony Pollard (foot) listed as questionable, Kelley could see some snaps out of the backfield in a rotational role.
Published: Sat, Nov 2 at 1:59pm by Rotowire.com
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Reverts to practice squad
Kelley reverted to the Titans' practice squad Monday.
Analysis: Kelley was active for Sunday's loss to the Lions with Tyjae Spears (hamstring) out but didn't see any playing time. Kelley could be elevated again Week 9 versus the Patriots if Spears remains sidelined.
Published: Mon, Oct 28 at 6:20pm by Rotowire.com
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Elevated from practice squad
The Titans elevated Kelley from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, John Glennon of NashvillePost.com reports.
Analysis: Kelly will get a chance to make his debut in a Tennessee uniform during Sunday's game against the Lions. With Tyjae Spears (hamstring) ruled out for Week 8, Kelly is set to work in the No. 3 role behind Tony Pollard and Julius Chestnut.
Published: Sat, Oct 26 at 12:03pm by Rotowire.com
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Finds new home in Tennessee
The Titans signed Kelley to the practice squad Tuesday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Kelley spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Chargers, and he finished the 2023 regular season with 107 carries for 405 yards and two touchdowns while adding eight catches (on 12 targets) for 32 yards. He spent most of the offseason as a free agent before signing with the Giants during training camp, but the 2020 fourth-round pick was unable to make the 53-man roster. Kelley could be elevated to the Titans' active roster as early as Week 7 against the Bills due to Tyjae Spears…read more
Published: Tue, Oct 15 at 2:20pm by Rotowire.com
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Cut by Giants
The Giants released Kelley on Sunday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.
Analysis: Kelley was a free agent for most of the offseason after playing in all 17 regular-season games for the Chargers in 2023, finishing with 405 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 107 carries. He caught on with the Giants on Aug. 15, and in his last preseason outing Saturday against the Jets, he rushed for 40 yards on eight carries. Kelley will look to sign with another team in need of backfield depth.
Published: Sun, Aug 25 at 11:28am by Rotowire.com
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Latches on with G-Men
The Giants signed Kelley on Thursday, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.
Analysis: Kelley spent much of the offseason as a free agent after his contract with the Chargers expired back in March. He wasn't retained by Los Angeles' new coaching staff after Kelley amassed a 320-1,148-6 rushing line across four seasons with the Bolts. It's less than ideal to join a team this deep into camp, but Kelley will try to impress the Giants over the next couple weeks ahead of the regular season.
Published: Thu, Aug 15 at 4:12pm by Rotowire.com
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Roster spot uncertain for '24
Kelley tallied two carries for one yard in Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Chiefs. He finished the season with 107 carries for 405 yards and two touchdowns to go along with an additional eight receptions for 32 yards.
Analysis: Kelley played 18 offensive snaps Sunday, his most playing time since Week 13. It's unclear why he suddenly jumped over Isaiah Spiller, who was a healthy inactive despite three straight weeks of relief play, but neither backup running back really did much when Austin Ekeler was healthy. Kelley finished the 2023 season with a career-high 405 rushing yards in large part due to a four-week stretch to begin the season where he operated as the starter with the aforementioned Ekeler sidelined, but he…read more
Published: Mon, Jan 8 at 7:46pm by Rotowire.com
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Low snap share again
Kelley tallied two carries for two yards in the 16-9 loss to the Broncos on Sunday.
Analysis: Both of Kelley's carries came in the third quarter in relief of Austin Ekeler, but overall the 2020 fourth-round pick played just six snaps. It's now back-to-back weeks Kelley has ceded a significant snap share to Isaiah Spiller (12 snaps) and it's to the point where the fourth-year back does not appear to be a lock to be on the Chargers' roster next season.
Published: Tue, Jan 2 at 9:17am by Rotowire.com
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Negative yards on lone carry
Kelley lost two yards on his lone carry in Saturday's 24-22 loss to the Bills.
Analysis: Kelley played just eight snaps and registered his lone carry in the first half. With just two games to go and zero possibility of a playoff berth, expect second-year back Isaiah Spiller to receive more playing time over Kelley moving forward.
Published: Sun, Dec 24 at 7:45pm by Rotowire.com
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A bit more playing time in blowout
Kelley tallied five carries for 22 yards and caught his lone target for six yards in Thursday's 63-21 throttling at the hands of the Raiders.
Analysis: It's hard to tell if the playing time split was due to the game's blowout nature or if the plan to shift carries from Austin Ekeler to other backups finally came to fruition in Week 15, but Kelley didn't see a significant bump if so. The fourth-year back did play 15 snaps, more than last week's seven, but Isaiah Spiller was Thursday's biggest beneficiary, as the second-year back played 24 offensive snaps and registered 16 total carries. With Brandon Staley now ousted as head coach, there could…read more
Published: Sat, Dec 16 at 11:41am by Rotowire.com
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No impact in loss
Kelley rushed three times for six yards in Sunday's 24-7 loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: It appears as if Kelley wasn't the primary beneficiary of head coach Brandon Staley's comments regarding a competition for carries, as the fourth-year back saw just three carries in the loss. Nominal third-string running back Isaiah Spiller saw five more offensive snaps and parlayed that into six carries for 19 yards. The 26-year-old has not posted a game with 20 or more rushing yards since Week 8, and with Staley's unpredictable scheme at this point in the season, Kelley's fantasy value…read more
Published: Tue, Dec 12 at 9:18am by Rotowire.com
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Could see uptick in playing time
Head coach Brandon Staley suggested Wednesday that Kelley could see increased opportunities out of the Chargers backfield in the weeks to come, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports. "Competition for carries is going to be something that you can see happening," Staley said. "We're going to keep exploring, making adjustments so that we can find that rhythm I've been talking about. That's certainly one way to do it."
Analysis: Austin Ekeler has struggled badly since his Week 6 return from a high-ankle sprain, and he's averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry on the season, a full yard below his 2022 average. Kelley has seen just 5.1 carries per game since Ekeler returned to the lineup, but the Chargers badly need an offensive spark, and upping Kelley's usage could be a way to improve the overall efficiency in the run game.
Published: Wed, Dec 6 at 6:36pm by Rotowire.com
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Continues limited role
Kelley rushed six times for 16 yards and brought in two receptions for nine yards in Sunday's 6-0 win over the Patriots.
Analysis: Neither Kelley nor starter Austin Ekeler could do much on the ground in a game mired by sloppy conditions. The 26-year-old has not recorded 30 or more snaps since Ekeler was hurt in Week 4, and he has only seen two red-zone carries in these last eight games. The rainy conditions in New England may have impacted Ekeler's sub-par performance, but Kelley's lack of production has been a common theme when he's sharing the field with the lead back.
Published: Tue, Dec 5 at 9:32am by Rotowire.com
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Diminished role in offense
Kelley recorded three carries for eight yards and two receptions for six yards in Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Ravens.
Analysis: Kelley tied his season low in snap count with 13 compared to starter Austin Ekeler's 53. The 26-year-old has struggled even more in the recent weeks in the backup position, averaging a mediocre 2.7 yards per carry in the last three weeks compared to Ekeler's 4.4, and he hasn't had a game with more than 10 carries since the lead back was hurt in Weeks 2 through 4. With this small amount of production as the auxiliary back, the veteran remains a reserve option for fantasy managers unless Ekeler…read more
Published: Tue, Nov 28 at 8:55am by Rotowire.com
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Handles six carries
Kelley rushed six times for 13 yards in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Packers.
Analysis: Kelley played 29 percent of the Chargers' offensive snaps Sunday for the second straight week in relief of starting running back Austin Ekeler. The 26-year-old has seen his efficiency decrease in recent weeks, averaging a dismal 2.2 yards per carry in Week 11. Kelley should continue to hold value as an insurance policy if Ekeler were to miss time, yet the veteran will likely continue to see limited opportunities when the Chargers host the Ravens in Week 12.
Published: Tue, Nov 21 at 8:18pm by Rotowire.com
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Limited usage once again
Kelley carried the ball five times for 16 yards in Sunday's 41-38 loss to the Lions.
Analysis: Since Austin Ekeler's return back in Week 6, Kelley has played over 35 percent of the offensive snaps just twice, and he's averaging under four yards per carry combined in the last three outings. While the backup still has a critical role of spelling Ekeler in this offense, it's obvious the Chargers do not draw up specific plays for Kelley.
Published: Mon, Nov 13 at 5:55pm by Rotowire.com
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Just four touches in win
Kelley carried the ball three times for 18 yards. He also caught his lone target for four yards in the 27-6 win over the Jets on Monday.
Analysis: Austin Ekeler unsurprisingly handled the majority of the load, with the duo sporting a 16-4 disparity in touches in a game that felt over by the first quarter. As has been the case whenever the Pro Bowl running back has been healthy, Kelley is simply a fantasy insurance policy for the talented multi-dimensional threat.
Published: Mon, Nov 6 at 9:03pm by Rotowire.com
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Hardly involved in win
Kelley carried the ball six times for 21 yards in the 30-13 win over the Bears on Sunday.
Analysis: Kelley played just 15 total offensive snaps as Austin Ekeler and the Chargers cruised to a relatively easy win. The team ran for only 54 total yards on 25 combined carries, so while the Chargers led by double digits almost from the get go, it's a bit surprising to see the running game struggle to the extent it did Sunday. Don't expect an easier path of resistance against the Jets in Week 9.
Published: Tue, Oct 31 at 10:37am by Rotowire.com
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Rips off career-long run
Kelley tallied seven carries for 75 yards and a touchdown in the 31-17 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.
Analysis: Kelley's 49-yard run was the longest of his career, and it helped the Chargers keep pace with an explosive Chiefs offense throughout the first half. That completely changed in the second half as Kelley and Austin Ekeler, who had 14 carries for 45 yards, could do very little. Expect the fourth-year back to get a bit more work against a vulnerable Bears defense next week.
Published: Sun, Oct 22 at 6:41pm by Rotowire.com
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Usual role as backup
Kelley carried the ball once for two yards and tallied an additional reception for two yards in the 20-17 loss to the Cowboys on Monday.
Analysis: Kelley still played 20 snaps -- far more than the three by third-stringer Isaiah Spiller -- but the fourth-year back fell back down to his role as quality backup with Pro Bowler Austin Ekeler (ankle) finally healthy. Don't expect Kelley to be a major fantasy contributor moving forward unless Ekeler was to get injured again.
Published: Tue, Oct 17 at 7:07am by Rotowire.com
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Struggles to pile up much yardage
Kelley registered 17 carries for 65 yards in the 24-17 win over the Raiders on Sunday.
Analysis: With Austin Ekeler out for a third and likely final game due to a high-ankle sprain, Kelley ended his multi-week stretch as the top running back on an underwhelming note. While Kelley essentially was the only running back to see much work Sunday, he averaged only 3.8 yards per carry despite facing a Raiders defense that had previously struggled to stop the run. With the Chargers on a bye in Week 5, expect Kelley to revert to the No. 2 running back role with Ekeler likely ready to hit the ground…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 1 at 4:39pm by Rotowire.com
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Poised for lead role again
Kelley appears on track for his third straight start at running back Sunday against the Raiders with Austin Ekeler (ankle) listed as doubtful for the contest.
Analysis: With three straight limited practices this week, Ekeler took a major step forward in his recovery from the high-ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined the past two games. However, with a bye on tap Week 5, the Chargers appear inclined to err on the side of caution with their lead back, who looks set to miss a third straight game before likely returning to action for a Week 6 matchup with the Cowboys on Oct. 16. Kelley is thus set up for another look as the Chargers' No. 1 back, though he…read more
Published: Fri, Sep 29 at 3:02pm by Rotowire.com
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Struggles again as lead back
Kelley rushed the ball 11 times for 12 yards in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Vikings. He added one reception for five yards.
Analysis: Kelley had the opportunity to serve as the Chargers' lead back for the second consecutive week with Austin Ekeler (ankle) sidelined. His poor performance in Week 2 was excused due to a tough matchup against the Titans, though Sunday's effort was disastrous with the Vikings being an exploitable unit. After ripping off 91 yards in Week 1 as the complementary back, Kelley has combined to gain only 51 yards on 24 carries as the starter in two games since. Even if Ekeler remains sidelined in Week 4…read more
Published: Sun, Sep 24 at 6:43pm by Rotowire.com
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Another start on tap
Kelley is in line to lead the Chargers backfield Sunday in Minnesota with Austin Ekeler (ankle) ruled out for the contest.
Analysis: Kelley handled 54 of 68 offensive snaps (79 percent) in place of Ekeler this past Sunday at Tennessee, while reserves Elijah Dotson (13 percent) and Isaiah Spiller (six percent) didn't get much more than scraps. Still, Kelley didn't make much headway against a tough Titans defensive front, taking 13 carries for 39 yards and failing to reel in his only target. In the end, he should have an easier time this Sunday versus a Vikings defense that has given up the seventh-most YPC (4.8) to opposing…read more
Published: Fri, Sep 22 at 1:20pm by Rotowire.com
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Bottled up in tough matchup
Kelley rushed the ball 13 times for 39 yards in Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Titans.
Analysis: Kelley handled the majority of the work out of the Chargers' backfield with Austin Ekeler (ankle) sidelined. He found very little room to run in a tough matchup, though he did manage to tally 15 yards on his longest carry of the day. Kelley was relatively uninvolved as a receiver as he managed to command only one target -- leaving him with no ability to overcome his poor day on the ground. If Ekeler remains out for Week 3, Kelley should find more room to run against the Vikings.
Published: Sun, Sep 17 at 7:18pm by Rotowire.com
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Looks primed for lead role Week 2
Kelley appears likely to get the bulk of the work out of the Chargers backfield in Sunday's game against the Titans with Austin Ekeler (ankle) listed as doubtful for the contest, Noah Camras of SI.com reports.
Analysis: The Chargers leaned heavily on their ground attack in a 36-34 loss to the Dolphins in Week 1, allowing both Ekeler (16 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown, four catches for 47 yards on five targets) and Kelley (16 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown, no catches on one target) to come through with useful stat lines. Unless Ekeler -- who didn't practice all week -- makes more progress in his recovery from the ankle injury than anticipated as Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, he'll be…read more
Published: Fri, Sep 15 at 1:27pm by Rotowire.com
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Sets career high in rushing yards
Kelley totaled 16 carries for a career-high 91 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 36-34 loss to the Dolphins.
Analysis: Kelley saw a lot of work in the second half totaling, 70 yards in the final 30 minutes, but it wasn't as if the Chargers were trying to bleed out the clock as the lead seesawed back and forth. Teammate Austin Ekeler also exploded for 117 yards, so at least in Week 1 it was obvious Kellen Moore's offensive scheme really catered to the ground game. Kelley already had fantasy value as the obvious backup to the electric Ekeler, but if this kind of workload becomes a trend moving forward it's…read more
Published: Sun, Sep 10 at 6:16pm by Rotowire.com
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Scores 75-yard TD
Kelley took two carries for 78 yards and a touchdown in Friday's 23-12 preseason win over the 49ers.
Analysis: Kelley started and played the first two drives, taking his second carry 75 yards for a touchdown. Isaiah Spiller and the team's trio of undrafted rookie RBs were all less impressive, making Kelley a comfortable favorite for the No. 2 role behind Austin Ekeler when the Chargers host the Dolphins in Week 1.
Published: Fri, Aug 25 at 10:23pm by Rotowire.com
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Does little in Sunday's start
Kelley carried the ball four times for nine yards and caught his only target for five yards in Sunday's preseason loss to the Saints.
Analysis: The fourth-year back got the first two touches of the night for the Chargers, but Kelley wound up being thoroughly outplayed by Isaiah Spiller, who averaged 5.4 yards per carry on his five totes. The duo could continue jockeying for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Austin Ekeler right up until the Week 1 kickoff, but even if Kelley loses that battle, his ability to contribute on special teams might be enough to keep him on the roster.
Published: Sun, Aug 20 at 8:32pm by Rotowire.com
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Efficient in preseason opener
Kelley rushed nine times for 54 yards and failed to bring in his only target during the Chargers' 34-17 preseason win over the Rams on Saturday night.
Analysis: Kelley was the first Chargers running back with a touch Saturday night and ended up pacing the team in carries. The 2020 fourth-round pick's long run was only 13 yards, so he consistently generated solid gains during his time in the contest. Kelley has been afforded only modest opportunity during his first three seasons, and this summer, he's battling Isaiah Spiller for the No. 2 running back role behind Austin Ekeler. The job battle will continue in Los Angeles' second preseason contest Sunday…read more
Published: Sat, Aug 12 at 9:24pm by Rotowire.com
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Efficient season
Kelley finished the 2022-23 season with 69 carries for 287 yards and two touchdowns while catching 14 of his 25 targets for 101 yards.
Analysis: Kelley finished the season behind only Austin Ekeler in touches, yards and touchdowns among Chargers running backs. Kelley competed for opportunities with Sony Michel early in the season and missed four games with a sprained MCL, but the 25-year-old established himself as the clear backup by the end of the campaign, a role which he will hope to hold onto for next season.
Published: Tue, Jan 10 at 10:49am by Rotowire.com
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Solid yardage in win
Kelley tallied nine carries for 45 yards in Sunday's 31-10 win over the Rams. He also caught one of his two targets for one yard.
Analysis: Sunday marked Kelley's best rushing total since Week 5, and he did it on his fewest snaps since Week 13. Given Austin Ekeler's dominance and the overall feeble attempt by the Rams to compete, Kelley was hardly needed as anything more than a reserve option, and it's hard to imagine that changing much in Week 18 against the Broncos.
Published: Tue, Jan 3 at 12:51pm by Rotowire.com
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Gets nine carries
Kelley rushed the ball nine times for 33 yards in Monday's 20-3 win over the Colts. He added one reception for nine yards.
Analysis: Kelley continued to serve as the clear backup to Austin Ekeler, and he has 19 carries combined across his last two games. Kelley ripped off gains of 11 and eight yards to highlight his performance, though Ekeler continued to dominate receiving opportunities and work near the goal line. However, with the Chargers locked into a postseason berth, Kelley could see a slight uptick in work across the final two games of the regular season.
Published: Mon, Dec 26 at 9:34pm by Rotowire.com
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Gets into end zone Sunday
Kelley carried the ball 10 times for 24 yards and a touchdown and caught one of two targets for seven yards in Sunday's 17-14 win over the Titans.
Analysis: Austin Ekeler left the game briefly in the first quarter to be checked out for an arm injury, and while the Chargers' starting RB returned to the field quickly, Kelley still wound up tying his season high in carries while scoring his second TD of the year on a one-yard plunge. Assuming Ekeker is 100 percent, expect him to return to his usual limited role in Week 16, although that could still offer Kelley some deep-league fantasy upside against a Colts defense that has collapsed over the last…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 18 at 7:35pm by Rotowire.com
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Rips long run in relief
Kelley tallied four carries for 29 yards and also caught one of his two targets for six yards in the 23-17 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
Analysis: Kelley scampered for a 22-yard run early in the second quarter, accounting for one of the more explosive gains on the ground all year for the Chargers. The third-year back saw a season-high 32 offensive snaps Sunday, confirming the platooned back up running back situation has essentially been dissolved.
Published: Tue, Dec 13 at 8:55am by Rotowire.com
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Solid despite loss
Kelley carried the ball seven times for 30 yards and failed to catch his only target Sunday in the 27-20 loss to the Raiders.
Analysis: Kelley was the Chargers' most efficient runner, leading the team in yards per carry during a game in which the run game as whole struggled mightily. Even though the 25-year-old running back did not light up the stat sheet, this game was still reassuring for his value since he established himself as the clear-cut backup to Austin Ekeler, as they were the only two backs to touch the ball.
Published: Tue, Dec 6 at 10:46am by Rotowire.com
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Quiet in return
Kelley carried the ball two times for four yards and caught two of his three targets for 16 yards during Sunday's 25-24 win versus the Cardinals.
Analysis: Kelley made his return to action after spending the past four games on injured reserve with a sprained MCL. Kelley saw both the second most snaps and touches amongst the Los Angeles running backs, but the third-year back still had less touches and yards than he had in all but one other game in which he's played the entirety. As long as Austin Ekeler remains healthy, Kelley's usage should not be expected to increase, but he is still worth holding onto in case the star running back gets hurt.
Published: Tue, Nov 29 at 11:10am by Rotowire.com
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Returns to active roster
The Chargers activated Kelley (knee) from injured reserve Saturday.
Analysis: Kelley has missed the requisite four games on IR as a result of an MCL sprain, but his first game action since Week 6 was forecast Wednesday when the team designated him for return. With three practices likely under his belt this week, he at least will be an option for L.A.'s backfield behind starter Austin Ekeler, along with Isaiah Spiller and Sony Michel. In six appearances this season, Kelley has averaged 4.5 YPC on his 23 rushes and hauled in seven of 10 targets for 56 yards.
Published: Sat, Nov 26 at 1:42pm by Rotowire.com
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Ready to practice
The Chargers designated Kelley (knee) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.
Analysis: With the move, the Chargers have a 21-day window to evaluate the running back in practice, though head coach Brandon Staley said Wednesday that if Kelley has a good week of practice he could be activated ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Whenever he's back in the mix, Kelley will look to reclaim a complementary role behind top option Austin Ekeler in a Los Angeles backfield that also includes Isaiah Spiller, Sony Michel and Larry Rountree.
Published: Wed, Nov 23 at 3:07pm by Rotowire.com
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Expected to practice this week
Coach Brandon Staley said Monday that Kelley (knee) is expected to practice this week, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The third-year running back was placed on IR at the end of October due to a knee injury. When Kelley does return to practice, it'll open a 21-day window for the Chargers to add him to the active roster.
Published: Mon, Nov 21 at 1:46pm by Rotowire.com
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Placed on IR
Kelley (knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: This isn't a shocking development given Kelley hadn't practiced at all this week, and information following the injury Monday seemed to be relatively guarded by the Chargers. Sony Michel appears poised to take over as the team's primary backup, but rookie fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller could also work his way into the rotation after being a healthy inactive to begin his career.
Published: Sat, Oct 22 at 1:51pm by Rotowire.com
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Not playing Sunday
Kelley (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Seahawks, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Analysis: Kelley made an early departure from Monday's eventual win against the Broncos with what eventually was deemed to be a sprained MCL. He subsequently didn't practice this week and may be in line for a multi-game absence as a result of the injury. In Kelley's absence, Sony Michel and rookie fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller will be the reserve running backs behind L.A.'s top option Austin Ekeler.
Published: Fri, Oct 21 at 1:43pm by Rotowire.com
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DNP on Wednesday
Kelly (knee) was listed as a non-participant on the Chargers' injury report Wednesday.
Analysis: Kelley's absence from practice is no surprise, as he's expected to miss extended time after suffering an MCL sprain during Monday's win over the Broncos. The third-year running back split carries with fellow backup Sony Michel over the first six weeks of the season, recording 23 rushes for 104 yards and a touchdown and seven receptions for 56 yards. It's unclear exactly how long Kelley will be sidelined moving forward.
Published: Wed, Oct 19 at 8:19pm by Rotowire.com
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Likely out multiple weeks
Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Tuesday that Kelley suffered an MCL sprain during Monday's win over the Broncos and will be sidelined for multiple weeks, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: Kelley was riding the stationary bike after leaving Monday's contest, so the issue didn't initially appear to be too serious. However, Staley's comments suggest otherwise. It's possible Kelley winds up on IR to open up another roster spot, but in his absence, Sony Michel figures to operate as the top backup behind Austin Ekeler.
Published: Tue, Oct 18 at 2:10pm by Rotowire.com
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Hurts knee on MNF
Kelley (knee) is questionable to return to Monday's game against the Broncos.
Analysis: Kelley went to the blue medical tent, then exited it and began riding the stationary bike along the sideline. While his injury doesn't appear to be too serious based on that series of events, it remains to be seen whether Kelley can return Monday. Sony Michel will be an option to spell Austin Ekeler while Kelley is sidelined.
Published: Mon, Oct 17 at 6:15pm by Rotowire.com
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First TD of year
Kelley carried the ball 10 times for 49 yards and a touchdown in the 30-28 win over the Browns on Sunday. He also caught both of his targets for 33 yards.
Analysis: Kelley tallied the second-most receiving yards on the team Sunday in what amounted to a heavy attack on the ground. It's entirely possible head coach Brandon Staley and company simply chose to ride the hot hand, but it's worth pointing out Kelley tallied 10 carries to Sony Michel's one, a possible sign the platoon backup backfield situation could be seeing a new hierarchy taking place. In any case, the third-year back still remains firmly behind Austin Ekeler, who set a career high in rushing…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 9 at 3:31pm by Rotowire.com
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Does little in win
Kelley carried the ball four times for 15 yards and didn't catch either of his two targets in Sunday's 34-24 win over the Texans.
Analysis: Kelley routinely has seen the larger snap share of the backup platoon with Sony Michel, but it was the latter who ultimately out-snapped Kelley, 17-14, in a game in which the Chargers rode a comfortable lead for much of the contest. Kelley has been the more explosive of the reserve backs in terms of yards per carry, but he's seen nine fewer rushes with Michel seemingly locked in as the between-the-tackles ball carrier.
Published: Mon, Oct 3 at 6:58pm by Rotowire.com
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Operates as No. 2 back
Kelley attempted four carries for 22 yards in Thursday's 27-24 loss to the Chiefs. He also caught one of his two targets for three yards.
Analysis: Kelley played 19 offensive snaps compared to Sony Michel's nine, but the tandem ultimately saw the same amount of touches in a game in which the Chargers could never solidify a dominant lead. Expect Kelley to continue operating in a timeshare as the backup to Austin Ekeler.
Published: Fri, Sep 16 at 8:18am by Rotowire.com
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Splits time as backup
Kelley tallied four carries for 21 yards and also snared two receptions for 14 yards in Sunday's 24-19 win over the Raiders.
Analysis: Both Kelley and newly signed Sony Michel worked in tandem to spell starter Austin Ekeler, as the duo combined for 34 offensive snaps compared to Ekeler's 33. Kelley outsnapped the veteran 18 to 16 and produced significantly more in terms of yardage (35 total yards to Michel's 12) despite seeing one fewer touch, but if Ekeler were to get injured it's not clear if either backup would emerge as the No. 1. Fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller, inactive in Week 1, could also factor into the mix at some…read more
Published: Tue, Sep 13 at 8:02am by Rotowire.com
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Even with Rountree after preseason
Kelley rushed six times for 40 yards and caught his only target for one yard in Friday's 27-10 preseason loss to the Saints.
Analysis: Kelley and Larry Rountree split the early reps at running back. The former looked more explosive, but the latter found the end zone despite mustering just 12 rushing yards on six attempts. Both Kelley and Rountree figure to mix in behind Austin Ekeler early in the season while rookie fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller works his way back from an ankle injury, but Spiller could wind up being the No. 2 running back later in the season unless one of Kelley or Rountree shows substantial improvement…read more
Published: Fri, Aug 26 at 8:04pm by Rotowire.com
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Logs seven carries Saturday
Kelley rushed seven times for 18 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Chargers' 32-18 preseason loss to the Cowboys on Saturday night.
Analysis: Kelley was the first running back into the game and logged the first offensive touch for Los Angeles, and he paced the Chargers' ground game in carries overall. Recent reports had Kelley leading the competition for the No. 2 running back job, and with Isaiah Spiller (ankle) having suffered an injury Saturday, competition may be an even more clear-cut proposition going into the exhibition finale.
Published: Sat, Aug 20 at 10:16pm by Rotowire.com
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Leading No. 2 back competition
Kelley has seen more first-team work than fellow running backs Isaiah Spiller and Larry Rountree at training camp, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Kelley, Spiller and Rountree are competing for the No. 2 job behind starter Austin Ekeler, who is coming off a career year in which he played between 60 and 66 percent of the team's offensive snaps on each of first, second and third down in the 16 games in which he suited up. Kelley, Rountree and Justin Jackson all had shots to spell Ekeler last year, rotating through the No. 2 role without much success. The highlight for the group came Week 16, when Jackson went for 162 total yards and two…read more
Published: Wed, Aug 17 at 7:51am by Rotowire.com
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Compiles 44 total yards in opener
Kelley rushed three times for 16 yards and secured all three targets for 28 yards in the Chargers' 29-22 preseason loss to the Rams on Saturday night.
Analysis: Kelley opened the game as the starter with Austin Ekeler inactive and logged the first two rushing touches for the Chargers. The 2020 fourth-round pick's production was impressive on a per-touch basis, and he'll continue his battle with rookie Isaiah Spiller and veteran Larry Rountree for the No. 2 running back job in next Saturday night's preseason home matchup against the Cowboys.
Published: Sat, Aug 13 at 10:26pm by Rotowire.com
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Mediocre second season
Kelley tallied 33 carries for 102 yards and five catches for 38 yards across the 2021 campaign.
Analysis: The 2020 fourth-round pick took a dramatic step backward after a disappointing rookie campaign, often waffling between the No. 3 and No. 4 back throughout 2021. At this point, Kelley may not be a lock to be retained in 2022, coming off consecutive seasons in which he averaged less than 3.5 yards per carry. The fact that the Chargers still lack quality depth behind three-down stalwart Austin Ekeler might give the UCLA product enough wiggle room to stick around in a depth role next season.
Published: Wed, Jan 26 at 9:23am by Rotowire.com
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Does little with six touches
Kelley had five carries for seven yards and caught his lone target for 14 yards during Sunday's 41-29 loss to Houston.
Analysis: Kelley played 27 percent of the offensive snaps and did little with his opportunities in the absence of Austin Ekeler (COVID-19 protocols), while Justin Jackson totaled 162 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. Ekeler is back and should reclaim the every-down role for the final two weeks of the season, but it's clear Kelley is entrenched as the No. 3 tailback with Jackson serving as the top backup option.
Published: Tue, Dec 28 at 6:38pm by Rotowire.com
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Critical fumble in loss
Kelley carried the ball seven times for 21 yards to go along with one fumble in Thursday's 34-28 overtime loss to the Chiefs.
Analysis: Kelley's fumble could have long-term ramifications considering the goal-line gaffe was simply an egregious mistake in a pivotal situation. While the second-year back has seen 17 carries over the past two weeks with the Chargers carefully managing Austin Ekeler's ankle injury, Kelley has struggled with the usage, averaging 3.2 yards per carry over that span. It's entirely possible Larry Rountree, who was a healthy inactive Thursday, could push for additional playing time in light of Kelley's…read more
Published: Fri, Dec 17 at 7:04am by Rotowire.com
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Ten carries off the bench
Kelley ran for 33 yards on 10 carries against the Giants on Sunday.
Analysis: Kelley and fellow running back Justin Jackson (nine carries for 35 yards) saw elevated workloads due to starter Austin Ekeler suffering an ankle injury in the third quarter. It's not clear what Ekeler's status might be for Week 15, but if he misses time then -- based on Sunday's game -- Kelley and Jackson would get the first cracks at the vacated workload. Kelley and Larry Rountree (inactive, coach's decision Sunday) are probably the Chargers' best candidates to run between the tackles among…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 12 at 5:06pm by Rotowire.com
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Does nothing in win
Kelley didn't record any counting stats across his two offensive snaps in Sunday's 41-22 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: The third-string running back only saw two snaps with eight being his previous low. Austin Ekeler consistently dominates the backfield, while Justin Jackson typically acts as the main backup, although the snap share has oscillated week to week based on his health. Jackson is slowly returning from a quadricep injury and has missed several games throughout the season, but he essentially renders Kelley useless whenever he's healthy.
Published: Tue, Dec 7 at 1:54pm by Rotowire.com
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Two catches in loss
Kelley carried the ball once for five yards while also catching two of three targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: Kelley's longest pass reception went for 17 yards in which he hurdled over a Denver defender to almost get the first down. The 2020 fourth-round pick was on the field for 23 percent of all offensive snaps. Fellow backup running back Justin Jackson did not play an offensive snap, and Larry Rountree was inactive because of a coach's decision, two major positive signs for Kelley. Darius Bradwell did make his 2021 season debut and played sparingly, but at least for the moment Kelley seems to sit…read more
Published: Tue, Nov 30 at 1:24pm by Rotowire.com
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Healthy scratch Sunday
Kelley (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Analysis: Kelley recorded four carries for 12 yards while hauling in his lone target for four yards across the last two games, but he won't suit up in Week 11. Justin Jackson should serve as the primary backup to Austin Ekeler now that he's healthy.
Published: Sun, Nov 21 at 4:03pm by Rotowire.com
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One touch in loss
Kelley carried the ball one time for six yards in Sunday's 27-20 loss against the Vikings.
Analysis: Kelley's usage was minimal Sunday as he was only on the field for 14 percent of all offensive snaps. The second-year running back saw four less carries than Larry Rountree, a running back who has received less touches than Kelley in weeks past. In addition, Rountree received goal-line work over the 23-year-old, in which he capitalized by scoring a touchdown.
Published: Tue, Nov 16 at 10:24am by Rotowire.com
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Sees more playing time
Kelley carried the ball three times for six yards and caught his only target for four yards in the 27-24 win over the Eagles on Sunday.
Analysis: Kelley became the No. 2 running back as Justin Jackson was out with a quad injury. Kelley and rookie sixth-round pick Larry Rountree have oscillated as the primary short-yardage ball carriers throughout the season without much rhyme or reason. With Jackson's status still up in the air, Kelley could be looking at more snaps in the upcoming weeks.
Published: Tue, Nov 9 at 8:15am by Rotowire.com
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Back in the mix
Kelley is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Eagles.
Analysis: Kelley is back in the mix Sunday, with Justin Jackson out with a quad injury. In the process, he's in line to work in a complementary role along with Larry Rountree behind the Chargers' top back, Austin Ekeler.
Published: Sun, Nov 7 at 12:11pm by Rotowire.com
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Inactive Sunday
Kelley is inactive for Sunday's game against the Patriots.
Analysis: With Kelley inactive Sunday, Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree are on hand to work in complementary roles behind top back Austin Ekeler.
Published: Sun, Oct 31 at 11:45am by Rotowire.com
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Gets four carries in loss
Kelley carried the ball four times for seven yards in Sunday's 34-6 loss to the Ravens.
Analysis: Kelley continued to serve as the backup behind Austin Ekeler for the second straight week. The Chargers struggled to move the ball on offense Sunday, resulting in a rough fantasy day for most of the team's skill-position players.
Published: Wed, Oct 20 at 5:39am by Rotowire.com
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Assumes backup role in debut
Kelley carried the ball two times for 17 yards in Sunday's 47-42 win over the Browns.
Analysis: Kelley was activated for the first time this season and promptly usurped rookie Larry Rountree as the backup behind Austin Ekeler, earning 26 offensive snaps while Rountree and Justin Jackson saw zero. It's a bit odd to see Kelley in the backup role after struggling through the preseason and the conclusion of the 2020 campaign, but it's also not a role that has a lot of value with Austin Ekeler thriving as a three-down workhorse.
Published: Mon, Oct 11 at 5:18pm by Rotowire.com
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Active against Cleveland
Kelley is active for Sunday's game against Cleveland, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: Kelley will be active for the first time this season, but he's not expected to have a large role in a backfield that's crowded and led by Austin Ekeler and Larry Rountree.
Published: Sun, Oct 10 at 12:00pm by Rotowire.com
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Inactive for Week 2
Kelley is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
Analysis: With Kelley inactive for the second straight game, Austin Ekeler, Larry Rountree and Justin Jackson are in line to handle the Chargers' Week 2 backfield duties.
Published: Sun, Sep 19 at 12:10pm by Rotowire.com
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Odd man out in Week 1
Kelley (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Week 1 against Washington, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: Kelley was in line to potentially garner active status for the opener, but he'll be in street clothes with Austin Ekeler (hamstring) available. Kelley made 14 appearances for Los Angeles last season but will have to wait to make his 2021 debut, and his next chance to do so will come in Week 2 at home against the Cowboys.
Published: Sun, Sep 12 at 9:35am by Rotowire.com
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Unremarkable finish to preseason
Kelley rushed three times for two yards and brought in his only target for 12 yards in the Chargers' 27-0 preseason loss to the Seahawks on Saturday night.
Analysis: Still looking to shake Larry Rountree for the No. 3 running back job, Kelley didn't get much of an opportunity to make an impression Saturday. The second-year back saw Rountree take six carries for 27 yards, record two receptions and gain 33 yards on a pair of kickoff returns, so the pendulum could well have swung away from Kelley ahead of final cutdowns.
Published: Sat, Aug 28 at 10:20pm by Rotowire.com
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Quiet day in preseason opener
Kelley rushed eight times for 19 yards and caught one of three targets for minus-3 yards in the Chargers' 13-6 preseason win over the Rams on Saturday night.
Analysis: Kelley tied Larry Rountree for the team lead in carries, but he produced just 2.4 yards per rush while seeing his backfield mate rack up 7.9 yards per attempt. Kelley enjoyed a solid role early last season as a rookie with 173 total yards in the first two games, yet his production and involvement were typically both more modest from that point forward. Kelley is looking to fight off Rountree for the likely third running back role, and he'll have to make a better impression in the Chargers'…read more
Published: Sat, Aug 14 at 10:54pm by Rotowire.com
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Falling on depth chart
Kelley is listed behind both Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree on the team's first official depth chart release, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: It's a pretty jarring statement considering the Chargers drafted Kelley in the fourth round just one year ago, but it reflects what occurred towards the end of 2020 when the rookie was a healthy scratch in two of the final four games. Rountree often has been mentioned as a legitimate short-yardage threat, giving the 2021 sixth-round pick a more defined role than Kelley and adding yet another strike against the latter's quest towards retaining a roster spot. At this point, Kelley might need an…read more
Published: Mon, Aug 9 at 7:09pm by Rotowire.com
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Roster spot not guaranteed
Kelley could be competing for the final running back spot with 2020 sixth-round pick Larry Rountree, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The presumed hierarchy according to Popper would see Austin Ekeler handle most of the work out of the backfield with Justin Jackson filling in occasionally as a change-of-pace option. That would leave Kelley and Rountree in an ultra-utility capacity, but the recent sixth-round pick profiles a bit better as a goal-line threat, something the Chargers seemingly lack at the moment. Kelley was a major factor at the start of his rookie season but dramatically tailed off toward the end of the year,…read more
Published: Fri, May 21 at 10:32am by Rotowire.com
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Uneven rookie season
Kelley, who was a healthy scratch in two of the Chargers' final four games, finished his rookie season with 502 total yards and two touchdowns in 11 games.
Analysis: Kelley's fall from fantasy grace came precipitously as the 23-year-old saw 47 touches in his first three games as a complement to Austin Ekeler before yielding time to Justin Jackson and then Kalen Ballage as the season progressed. By the time Ekeler (quad) returned from his multi-month absence, Kelley had completely fallen out of the rotation in favor of Ballage despite the two having nearly indistinguishably modest yards-per-carry averages. Looking ahead, the UCLA product could have a chance…read more
Published: Thu, Jan 7 at 9:01am by Rotowire.com
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Deemed healthy Week 16 scratch
Kelley (coach's decision) is inactive heading into Sunday's game against the Broncos, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: Los Angeles will roll with Kalen Ballage and Justin Jackson as secondary backs behind Austin Ekeler during a Week 16 AFC West clash. Kelley's 3.2 yards-per-carry average is uninspiring, while his two lost fumbles on the season motivate the Chargers' coaching staff to search elsewhere for more reliable options.
Published: Sun, Dec 27 at 11:48am by Rotowire.com
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Five offensive snaps in win
Kelley carried the ball two times for eight yards in Thursday's 30-27 win over the Raiders.
Analysis: Kelley did next to nothing in this contest largely as a byproduct of just five offensive snaps. The return of Austin Ekeler and emergence of Kalen Ballage has made the rookie running back simply an afterthought, and it's hard to imagine that changing with just two games left to play, especially considering Kelley was a healthy inactive just one game prior.
Published: Fri, Dec 18 at 8:36am by Rotowire.com
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Back in lineup
Kelley is active for Thursday's game against the Raiders, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Kelley was a healthy scratch for last week's win over the Falcons, but he'll return to the lineup for Week 15, taking the place of Justin Jackson. When Jackson suited up last week, he saw just two carries for eight yards, so it's unclear what sort of role Kelley will have in the offense. He'll join Austin Ekeler and Kalen Ballage as healthy running backs for the divisional clash.
Published: Thu, Dec 17 at 4:07pm by Rotowire.com
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Inactive Week 14
Kelley (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons.
Analysis: Kelley avoided an injury designation for Sunday's contest after dealing with a foot issue, but he'll still be sitting out as a healthy scratch. Austin Ekeler will lead the backfield while Kalen Ballage and Justin Jackson serve as the backup options.
Published: Sun, Dec 13 at 12:17pm by Rotowire.com
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Ready for Week 14
Kelley (foot) has been cleared to play in Sunday's game versus the Falcons.
Analysis: Kelley started the week as a non-participant, upgraded to limited status Thursday, and practiced at full speed to close out the week. The rookie has been cleared to play in Week 14. His role is yet to be determined, as Kelley, Austin Ekeler and Kalen Ballage haven't all stayed healthy for an entire game this season. Kelley, Ballage and Justin Jackson (IR - knee) are all candidates to handle the No. 2 backfield role for the remainder of the year.
Published: Fri, Dec 11 at 3:33pm by Rotowire.com
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Status takes positive turn
Kelley (foot) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice session.
Analysis: The UCLA product was unable to participate in any capacity Wednesday, having been forced to exit Sunday's 45-0 loss to the Patriots after three offensive snaps. The injury-induced departure naturally led to a dip from Kelley's average of 26.2 offensive snaps per game, as he managed just two catches for three yards in the contest. His status is now trending in the right direction, however, as L.A. prepares to host the Falcons' 12th-ranked rush defense Sunday afternoon.
Published: Thu, Dec 10 at 3:36pm by Rotowire.com
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Unable to practice Wednesday
Kelley (foot) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice.
Analysis: Kelley was forced out of Sunday's loss to the Patriots with what was initially termed as an ankle issue, but the team clarified the nature of his injury with the release of its first Week 14 practice report. The rookie's absence from practice to start the week is a discouraging sign ahead of Sunday's game versus the Falcons, but he'll have two more opportunities to increase his on-field work. Troymaine Pope (neck) -- who was also limited Wednesday -- would be next in line to serve as Los…read more
Published: Wed, Dec 9 at 4:36pm by Rotowire.com
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Hurts ankle against Pats
Kelley (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Patriots.
Analysis: Kelley's injury occurred with Los Angeles getting blown out in the fourth quarter. He had two catches for three yards and no carries prior to getting injured while working in a third-string role behind Austin Ekeler and Kalen Ballage.
Published: Sun, Dec 6 at 4:14pm by Rotowire.com
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Touchdown overshadowed in loss
Kelley carried the ball seven times for 35 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Bills.
Analysis: Kelley scored his first touchdown since Week 1 and also saw his first game with more than 32 rushing yards since Week 3, yet he was completely overshadowed by the return of Austin Ekeler (hamstring), who immediately emerged as the team's primary option at running back and registered 129 total yards. It'll be interesting to see if Kelley or Kalen Ballage, who didn't play Sunday due to an ankle/calf injury, ends up handling Ekeler's leftovers moving forward. The Chargers square off against a…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 29 at 2:57pm by Rotowire.com
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Season low in snaps
Kelley ran four times and lost two yards in Sunday's 34-28 win against the Jets. He also caught both of his targets for four yards.
Analysis: It's clear Kelley has been surpassed on the depth chart by Kalen Ballage (55 snaps Sunday), but crucially the rookie is not expected to operate as the between-the-tackles ball carrier with the expected return of Austin Ekeler (knee/hamstring). The season-low 11 snaps also put him behind scatback Troymaine Pope (16), although the latter likely reverts to a special teams ace once Ekeler is able to take the field. The 23-year-old Kelley hardly figures to be an attractive fantasy asset so long as…read more
Published: Tue, Nov 24 at 8:43am by Rotowire.com
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Playing time sapped away
Kelley carried the ball seven times for 21 yards in the 29-21 loss Sunday to the Dolphins.
Analysis: After seeing a season high in snaps last week, Kelley completely fell to the wayside in favor of Kalen Ballage. At this point, it's clear the Chargers are trying to pivot away from giving meaningful opportunities for the rookie running back, which makes sense considering Kelley is averaging just 3.2 yards-per-carry across nearly 100 attempts this year. With the imminent return of Austin Ekeler (hamstring), it wouldn't be surprising at all to see Ballage replace Kelley as the between-the-tackles…read more
Published: Tue, Nov 17 at 7:34am by Rotowire.com
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Leads backfield in snaps
Kelley carried the ball nine times for 28 yards during Sunday's 31-26 loss to the Raiders. He also caught all five of his targets for 31 yards.
Analysis: Even with the Chargers offense missing two of its essential players, Justin Jackson (knee, injured in first quarter) and Austin Ekeler (hamstring), Kelley did not put up the numbers that some would have expected. While Kelley was unsuccessful in making it to the end zone, he did have the highest number of snaps (43) among running backs and tied for his season high in snaps as well. Still, it wasn't enough to surpass Saturday's practice-squad callup, Kalen Ballage, who dramatically took…read more
Published: Tue, Nov 10 at 8:41am by Rotowire.com
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Effort critiqued by head coach
Coach Anthony Lynn said Wednesday that Kelley has been "running timid lately," Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: Kelley appears to be working behind both Justin Jackson and Troymaine Pope (concussion) in Los Angeles' backfield at this point. Jackson led the way with 17 carries in Sunday's loss to the Broncos, while Pope logged 10 and Kelley ran seven times for 32 yards. Aside from an early 22-yard gain, Kelley was held to 10 yards on his other six carries, and he took a seven-yard loss on his lone reception. Lynn noted that he remains confident Kelley will "turn it around," but the rookie will need to…read more
Published: Wed, Nov 4 at 11:45am by Rotowire.com
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Limited role in offense
Kelley carried the ball seven times for 32 yards in Week 8 against the Broncos. He added one reception for -7 yards.
Analysis: Kelley finished with the fewest carries out of a trio of backs for the Chargers that also included Justin Jackson and Troymaine Pope. He did manage a 22-yard gain on the team's third drive of the game, attacking behind the left side of the offensive line. Kelley was otherwise held in check, managing only 10 yards on his six other carries combined. Though Austin Ekeler (hamstring) isn't on the verge of a return, Jackson has overtaken Kelley in terms of efficiency across the past few weeks.
Published: Sun, Nov 1 at 9:31pm by Rotowire.com
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Finds little running room in win
Kelley rushed 12 times for 29 yards and caught all five of his targets for 24 yards in Sunday's 39-29 win over the Jaguars.
Analysis: Kelley out-touched Justin Jackson 17-10, but neither running back contributed much in the high-scoring affair. It's encouraging to see the rookie wrestle back the majority of the workload after Jackson posted 94 scrimmage yards to Kelley's 38 last week, but Kelley's averaging just 3.1 yards per carry on 75 totes through his first six games. Kelley will look to improve that efficiency at home against the Broncos in Week 8, while Jackson should continue to be his primary competition for playing…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 25 at 5:02pm by Rotowire.com
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Meager showing versus Saints
Kelley rushed 11 times for 29 yards and caught his lone target for nine yards in Monday night's 30-27 overtime loss to the Saints.
Analysis: Kelley was bottled up against a consistently stout Saints rush defense. In contrast, fellow tailback Justin Jackson rushed 15 times for 71 yards, but 36 of those came on one play. While that evidences the tough sledding on average Monday, Jackson's comparatively hot hand enabled him to get involved more in the passing game as well, as he finished with five catches for 23 yards. As long as usual starter Austin Ekeler (hamstring) is sidelined, the production split between Kelley and Jackson will…read more
Published: Mon, Oct 12 at 9:40pm by Rotowire.com
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Could see playing-time bump
Kelley could see more opportunities with top running back Austin Ekeler (hamstring) expected to miss the next 4-to-6 weeks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Kelley wasn't particularly impressive in relief of an injured Ekeler in Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers, as he carried the ball nine times for seven yards while also committing an egregious fumble near the end of the first half, which allowed Tampa Bay to gain momentum in its eventual come-from-behind win. The fumble was the rookie's second in as many weeks, but coach Anthony Lynn didn't seem to lose much confidence in Kelley, who still played a season-high 57 percent of the offensive snaps.…read more
Published: Wed, Oct 7 at 7:07am by Rotowire.com
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Can't find running room in loss
Kelley rushed nine times for seven yards and brought in all three targets for 26 yards in the Chargers' 38-31 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.
Analysis: The rookie fourth-round pick had an opportunity to assume control of the backfield after Austin Ekeler exited the game for good in the first quarter due to a hamstring injury, but Kelley found the sledding to be extremely rough versus the Buccaneers' typically stalwart front seven. Additionally, his late first-half fumble at the Chargers' eight-yard line helped ignite a Buccaneers comeback that led to Tampa Bay scoring 35 points from that point onward. Kelley did appear to soak up some of…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 4 at 2:42pm by Rotowire.com
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Fumbles in loss
Kelley carried the ball eight times for 43 yards and also caught both of his targets for nine yards in the 21-16 loss Sunday to the Panthers. He also lost a fumble.
Analysis: Kelley took a back seat to Austin Ekeler in this one as the Chargers fell behind early. Part of that reason was because of the rookie's second-quarter fumble off a 16-yard run. That turnover set up the Panthers' lone touchdown and also a two-score lead. It's possible Kelley might find tough sledding again next week with the Chargers set to square off against a high-powered Buccaneers unit.
Published: Sun, Sep 27 at 5:28pm by Rotowire.com
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Racks up over 100 yards Sunday
Kelley carried the ball a team-high 23 times for 64 yards and caught two of three targets for 49 yards in Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to Kansas City.
Analysis: It's noteworthy that Kelley saw a bigger workload than Austin Ekeler in a close game, with the rookie getting 25 touches to the more senior back's 20 -- although Ekeler was more productive with 148 scrimmage yards. The Chargers' backfield increasingly looks like a 1A/1B arrangement rather than Kelley being confined to backup duties, but that could still lead to big numbers for both backs in Week 3 against a Panthers run defense that's already been lit up by Josh Jacobs and Leonard Fournette…read more
Published: Sun, Sep 20 at 6:33pm by Rotowire.com
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Slated for top depth role
Kelley is expected to serve as the top understudy to Austin Ekeler in Sunday's game against the Chiefs with Justin Jackson (quadriceps) listed as doubtful and not expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Kelley enjoyed a productive NFL debut in the Chargers' Week 1 win over the Bengals, playing only 24 percent of the offensive snaps and finishing with 12 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers may not have the luxury of operating a run-heavy game plan versus a heavily favored Chiefs team, so Kelley could struggle to replicate his Week 1 usage with Ekeler working as the clear top pass-catching back on the roster.
Published: Sun, Sep 20 at 5:18am by Rotowire.com
More news and analysis available atNFL.com -
Scores first career touchdown
Kelley carried the ball 12 times for 60 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: Kelley was a crucial factor in the team's offense after the first half, registering all 12 carries over the final 24 minutes. Kelley was in contention with Justin Jackson for the backup job all throughout training camp, and while Jackson did see two carries in the first half, it was quickly apparent Kelley's nimble running style was the more productive option. Kelley was bumped up to the No. 2 role when Jackson left the game with an injury. Perhaps not surprisingly, Kelley took a similar role…read more
Published: Sun, Sep 13 at 5:41pm by Rotowire.com
More news and analysis available atNFL.com -
In contention for backup job
Kelley remains in a tight battle with Justin Jackson for the No. 2 running back spot behind Austin Ekeler, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: It was a tremendous week of practice for Kelley, who began Monday on the third unit ,only to eventually see first-team action by Thursday. The nearly 6-foot running back brings a bit more power to his game -- which ultimately could make him a more optimal No. 2 behind the sturdy yet smaller Ekeler -- but Jackson has been impressive in brief stints at the NFL level as well, especially as a change-of-pace back.
Published: Sat, Aug 22 at 10:47am by Rotowire.com
More news and analysis available atNFL.com
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Up Next- Ex-Chargers RB Joshua Kelley provides spark for Giants on 19-yard rushSat, Aug 24 at 5:11pm
Ex-Chargers running back Joshua Kelley provides spark for New York Giants on a 19-yard rush.
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