Chris Thompson Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Washington OC Matt Cavanaugh told CSN Mid Atlantic recently that RB Rob Kelley "obviously has earned" the right to remain the team's lead back heading into this season. It's not surprising to find the incumbent getting the 1st shot there. But Cavanaugh's wording seems a bit strong for a player who reached 80 yards just 3 times last year. Kelley was solid overall, including rankings of 17th and 15th in Football Outsiders' main rushing efficiency metrics. Pro Football Focus graded him 26th among RBs. But Kelley was a dud as a pass-blocker. And he averaged 4.0 yards per carry across a 4-year Tulane career that never saw him reach 100 attempts in a season. Samaje Perine looks like the highest-upside fantasy back in Washington right now. If you own Kelley in dynasty, we'd recommend trying to sell before he does lose the starting job.

Washington RB Chris Thompson signed his restricted free agent tender this week. It's a 1-year contract with the team; we wouldn't bet on a longer-term extension. Thompson reached double-digit carries just once last season and surpassed 40 receiving yards only once as well. He's not much of a week-to-week fantasy football option but returns to an open backfield that sports Rob Kelley as its current lead back. We're expecting Washington to add someone in the NFL Draft.

Washington RB Chris Thompson notched a 25-yard TD run in Sunday's win over the Eagles. That was the highlight among 3 total rushes for 38 yards. Thompson added just 1 target, which fell incomplete. He's nowhere near enough volume on a consistent basis to be a fantasy factor in any but the deepest of fantasy football leagues the rest of the way.

Redskins RB Matt Jones is inactive for today's game against the Vikings. He wasn't listed on the final injury report, so he looks like a healthy scratch. RB Mack Brown is active behind RBs Rob Kelley and Chris Thompson. Jones looks droppable in most fantasy leagues.

Redskins RB Matt Jones (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bengals. HC Jay Gruden said earlier in the week that rookie Rob Kelley will step in as Washington's lead back. He'll lose some carries and most of the passing-down work to RB Chris Thompson, though. Kelley is the slightly better play in non-PPR leagues; Thompson gets the edge in PPR.

Redskins HC Jay Gruden said Wednesday that RB Robert Kelley would be in the "lead role" against the Bengals on Sunday if RB Matt Jones' knee issue keeps him out. “Chris [Thompson] has such an important role as far as third downs and his specialty role that we need him in that role, and he’s not a very big guy," Gruden said. "We don’t want to give him the ball 35 times between the tackles, you know? We’d like to have a more physical guy do that.” The lead role has netted Jones 14.1 carries per game this season. That'd be a fair Week 8 projection for Kelley if Jones sits. Thompson would figure to remain in the 6-10 carry range with the majority of the pass-catching work.

Redskins RB Matt Jones was held out of Wednesday's practice with what HC Jay Gruden described as "knee soreness." We'll see if he's able to get back on the field Thursday before Washington heads to London. If Jones misses Sunday's game against the Bengals, RBs Chris Thompson and Rob Kelley would share the backfield.

Redskins RB Matt Jones (shoulder) returned to practice on Monday but was sporting a non-contact jersey, per insider Mike Jones. He's making progress but still has at least 1 hurdle to clear in order to play in next Monday night's opener against the Steelers. We'll be tracking Jones' progress throughout the week. If he out, Rob Kelley would likely serve as Washington's lead back, with Chris Thompson also potentially taking on a bigger role.

The Redskins announced that RB Matt Jones suffered an AC sprain in his shoulder in Friday night's preseason game. The severity of the sprain will determine exactly how long he's out, but consider him week-to-week for now. Jones could be back in time for Week 1, but any missed time is unfortunate for a guy expected to step into the lead role this year. Jones' absence leaves Washington's backfield to Chris Thompson, Keith Marshall and Rob Kelley. Marshall certainly has the most upside of the group but hasn't looked NFL-ready through 2 preseason games.

Matt Jones is the Redskins' "workhorse back," according to the Washington Post's Mike Jones. "At least that's the plan," he adds somewhat ominously. That jibes with basically everything we've heard this offseason. Jones is going to get a shot to establish himself as the clear lead dog. If he struggles with ball security or doesn't improve on last year's 3.4 yards per carry, though, Washington could turn to some combination of Keith Marshall and Chris Thompson. Jones is going in the middle of the 6th round in recent MFL10s.

Redskins GM Scot McCloughan raved about rookie RB Keith Marshall on Monday and called his team's backfield a "2-headed monster." Marshall is "a 1-cut guy, and when he puts his foot in the ground, he can fly," McCloughan said. "And you know, Matt [Jones] is gonna be Matt, and I think Matt's gonna be a really good player for us. But as you know ... it's a 2-headed monster in the backfield." McCloughan later added that it could even be a 3-headed monster, presumably referring to change-of-pace type Chris Thompson. This is the 1st time we've heard from Washington that Marshall could be a threat to Jones' workload. We'll be keeping a close eye on this backfield in preseason action.

Washington RB Matt Jones (hip) is inactive for today's game against the Packers. That only further solidifies Alfred Morris as the lead back, while likely leaving more snaps for 3rd-down types Chris Thompson and Pierre Thomas.

Redskins RB Matt Jones (hip) is inactive for today’s game against the Cowboys. It’s unclear how much RB Alfred Morris will play. RBs Chris Thompson and Pierre Thomas will handle mop-up duty. Avoid this backfield in fantasy lineups.

Redskins RB Alfred Morris (ribs) put in a full week of practice and is probable for Sunday’s game against the Giants. He’ll remain in a 3-man committee with Matt Jones and Chris Thompson. It’s a backfield best avoided in fantasy lineups.

Redskins RB Alfred Morris (ribs) took part in positional drills during the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media.  He might be listed as "limited" on the official injury report, but he's on track to play against the Giants this weekend.  None of Washington's RBs -- Morris, Matt Jones, Chris Thompson -- are reliable fantasy options.

Redskins HC Jay Gruden labeled RB Alfred Morris "day-to-day" with the rib injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Panthers.  He didn't return to that one, but it sounds like he has a decent chance to be ready for this weekend's game against the Giants.  Morris' presence would just make this muddled backfield even tougher to trust in fantasy.

Redskins RB Chris Thompson (back) put in a full week of practice and is probable for Sunday’s game against the Patriots. He’ll resume passing-down duties, which could make him busy in a game in which Washington figures to be playing catch-up. Thompson caught 6 balls in both of his last 2 games.

Redskins RB Matt Jones (toe) is active for today’s game against the Bucs. He put in a full week of practice and shouldn’t be limited. Jones figures to split carries with RB Alfred Morris but could see a bunch of passing-down work with RB Chris Thompson (back) out.

Redskins RB Matt Jones (toe) put in a full week of practice and is probable for Sunday’s game against the Bucs. He figures to split ball-carrying duties with RB Alfred Morris. Jones could also play a significant role on passing downs with RB Chris Thompson (back) listed as doubtful.

Redskins RB Chris Thompson injured his back in the 1st quarter of Sunday's game against the Jets.  He's officially questionable to return.  Note that Thompson broke his back in college, although it's unclear if this is at all related.

Update: Thompson returned in the 2nd quarter.