Matt Jones Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

One of the biggest Eagles questions facing fantasy owners is just how much work we can expect RB Jay Ajayi to get. Well, he spoke to that a bit this week. “I’m excited,” Ajayi said Tuesday, per USA Today's Eagles Wire. “Obviously things have gotten a little bit shaken up in our room, and I’m excited to get into that lead role, do what’s needed of me and just go ball." Ajayi averaged just 11.2 carries per game over 10 contests (playoffs included) after joining the Eagles last year. But that climbed to 13.8 over the final 6 games, including 4 weeks of 14+ rushes. Philly coaches haven't specifically addressed backfield roles yet, and the backfield remains crowded. Corey Clement should continue to see a significant role. And Darren Sproles -- who opened last year as the team leader in RB snaps before a Week 3 injury -- returns. Matt Jones, Donnel Pumphrey, Wendell Smallwood and undrafted free agent Josh Adams are also fighting for roles. The "lead role" Ajayi refers to doesn't necessarily mean workhorse-level touches, and we're not projecting that for him. But a lead job in what should again rank among the league's top offenses will undoubtedly carry fantasy upside. Ajayi could particularly bring a high TD ceiling, given his size vs. the remaining backfield competition. He's a decent value at current ADP, and we'll continue to monitor the Eagles backfield as we move into summer.

Per multiple reports, the Colts have claimed RB Matt Jones off waivers. Washington cut the RB on Saturday. He'll start out behind Frank Gore, Robert Turbin and Marlon Mack on Indy's backfield depth chart. Jones isn't a redraft option but remains worth a deep stash in dynasty leagues. He's still just 24.

As expected, Washington released RB Matt Jones on Saturday. The former 3rd-round pick opened last season as the lead back but fell out of favor largely because of fumble issues. He stayed fairly invisible through training camp and the preseason this summer. The 24-year-old should quickly get a shot elsewhere, though.

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 HC Jay Gruden said Monday that RB Rob Kelley will get the "bulk of the carries." RB Matt Jones, Gruden added, will "will have to earn his way back." Kelley turned in a solid 21-87-1 rushing line prior to Washington's Week 9 bye, while Jones sat out with a knee injury. It's unclear if Jones is ready to return for Week 10, but he won't be a fantasy option regardless. Kelley will be a low-end RB2 vs. a tough Vikings run defense.

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 RB Matt Jones (knee) missed his 2nd straight practice on Thursday. He's looking iffy for this weekend's game against the Bengals. Jones' absence would leave Rob Kelley as Washington's lead back. RB Chris Thompson would also figure to see more work than usual.

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 HC Jay Gruden is looking to get RB Rob Kelley more playing time going forward. "I think you’ll see more of Robert. I think Robert shows that he’s deserving of some carries," Gruden said Monday. "You know, we like Matt Jones, but I think there’s a good combination there where the both of them can get the ball." Jones mustered just 31 yards on 14 carries and lost a fumble against the Ravens last week. Kelley took 3 carries for 18 yards. Jones had been playing well before the Baltimore game and should remain the lead back for now. But he's on a short leash. Kelley is only worth stashing in deep leagues.

Washington RB Matt Jones is active for tonight's opener at home against the Steelers. Jones missed much of the preseason with a shoulder sprain, but he should operate as the lead back against Pittsburgh. Just how big a lead he might have -- if any -- over RB Rob Kelley at this point will be a key thing to watch in the game.

Redskins RB Matt Jones (shoulder) put in a full week of practice. He's listed as questionable but is fully expected to play against the Steelers on Monday night. Jones figures to operate as Washington's lead back but might lose touches to both RB Chris Thompson and RB Rob Kelley. Consider Jones a RB3 or flex against a stout Pittsburgh run D.

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 have placed RB Keith Marshall on IR. His elbow injury was only expected to sideline him about 3 weeks, so this looks like a case of the team stashing a rookie who simply isn't ready to contribute. Rob Kelley is now locked in as Washington's #2 RB. Starter Matt Jones (shoulder) is expected to be ready for Week 1, but that's not a lock. Kelley is worth rostering in deeper leagues and should be on your waiver-wire watch list.

Redskins RB Keith Marshall is expected to miss at least 3 weeks with the elbow injury suffered in Friday's preseason contest, according to insider Chick Hernandez. The rookie will be re-evaluated at that point, so he might be out even longer. That officially ends Marshall's chances of opening the season as RB Matt Jones' backup. That job will belong to Rob Kelley, who has averaged a solid 4.5 yards per carry this preseason.