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.

ESPN's John Keim considers rookie RB Samaje Perine an "instant challenger" for RB Rob Kelley's starting job. One anonymous Redskins player even predicted that Perine would win the battle. He and Kelley are cut from the same cloth. They're power backs with remarkably similar measurables: Perine a 5'11, 233-pounder with a 4.65-second 40 time and Kelley 5'11, 226 pounds with 4.68 speed. That'll make it an intriguing battle to watch this summer, with the victor potentially returning RB2 value in a talented Redskins offense.

The Redskins added Oklahoma RB Samaje Perine in the 4th round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Perine turned in a huge freshman season, taking 263 carries for 1,713 yards and 21 scores. That included an FBS-record 427 rushing yards against Kansas. His numbers slid from there as Joe Mixon arrived in Norman, but Perine still totaled 2,409 yards and 28 TDs on 5.7 yards per carry across the past 2 years. He wasn’t nearly as productive in the passing game, failing to top 15 catches or 108 receiving yards in any of his 3 seasons. He also tested poorly at the Combine, registering a 33rd percentile SPARQ score. An early-down pounder, Perine seems like a redundant player with Rob Kelley already in Washington. Kelley isn’t a special talent, though, so Perine is a threat to steal significant work this season.

Redskins RB Robert Kelley underwent surgery to repair an issue with the meniscus in his right knee shortly after the season ended, according to insider Ben Standig. Kelley suffered the injury in Week 16 but was able to play through it the following week. A source tells Standig that the procedure was "considered relatively minor." This doesn't sound like something that'll impact Kelley's offseason. The undrafted free agent operated as Washington's lead back over the 2nd half of the season, but he averaged just 3.98 yards per carry from Week 8 on and caught just 11 balls over that span. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Redskins add competition in the backfield this offseason.

Redskins RB Rob Kelley (knee) is active for today’s game against the Giants. He was limited in practice all week, but there was never much concern about his status. Kelley is safe to get into fantasy lineups.

Washington RB Rob Kelley (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants. Kelley put in limited practices all week, which would seem to indicate he's on track to play. We'll check on Kelley's status Sunday.

Washington RB Rob Kelley ran for 63 yards on 16 carries in Sunday's win over the Eagles, including a 22-yard TD scamper. He added an uncharacteristic 2 receptions for 25 yards. Kelley makes for a solid volume play the rest of the way, with Washington likely to hit home matchups with Carolina and the Giants plus a trip to Chicago as the favorite.

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 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) 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.

Redskins RB Keith Marshall suffered a sprained elbow in Friday night's preseason game, the team announced. It doesn't sound like a serious injury, but Marshall can't afford to miss much time after a disappointing August. He was rotating 1st-team reps with RB Rob Kelley before exiting. RB Matt Jones is out with his shoulder injury and has no clear-cut handcuff right now.