Kelley in the lead for #2 RB job?

The Athletic's Daniel Popper believes RB Joshua Kelley has "taken the lead" in the battle for the #2 RB job after the preseason opener. Kelley started that game, finishing with 3 carries for 16 yards and 3 catches for 28 yards. "Kelley looks like a really confident player," Popper writes. "He was decisive and explosive in the run game, hitting holes with a north-south mentality." RB Larry Rountree rotated in with the starters, while RB Isaiah Spiller didn't hit the field until the 2nd quarter. We're still expecting Spiller to eventually emerge as the #2 RB, but that might not happen before the start of the season.

Chargers RB Joshua Kelley (knee) will miss at least the next 4 games after landing on IR on Saturday. His absence leaves Sony Michel as Los Angeles' #2 RB for now. We'll see if rookie RB Isaiah Spiller can make a push for that job.

Chargers RB Joshua Kelley sprained an MCL in Monday night's win over the Broncos and is expected to miss 2-4 weeks. That leaves Sony Michel as Los Angeles' #2 RB and means that we might see rookie RB Isaiah Spiller active on game days. Michel should be rostered in fantasy leagues of 12+ teams as the short-term Austin Ekeler handcuff.

Chargers RB Joshua Kelley injured his knee in the 1st half of Monday night's game vs. the Broncos and didn't return. That left Sony Michel as Los Angeles' #2 RB. We'll see about the severity of Kelley's injury. If he's going to miss multiple weeks, Michel will be worth stashing as the Austin Ekeler handcuff.

ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry considers Chargers RB Joshua Kelley to be on the roster bubble. He enters training camp as the 3rd or 4th RB behind Austin Ekeler, Isaiah Spiller and likely Larry Rountree. Kelley owns only 456 rushing yards through 2 seasons (3.2 per attempt). Even in deep formats, the 24-year-old isn’t a recommend late-round target.

Chargers RB Joshua Kelley "might be having the best training camp of any player on the roster," The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes. HC Anthony Lynn likes what he's seen from the rookie, too. "I believe Joshua is having an outstanding camp," Lynn said. "I’ve thrown him in with the ones; he’s made plays. He’s in with the twos; he’s made plays. And he has shown a versatility. He can catch the ball out of the backfield well. He has shown that. So I’ve been pleased with his progress so far.” Popper notes that Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson still appear to be ahead of Kelley on the depth chart. But it sounds like he's pushing Jackson for snaps behind Ekeler. That'll be a situation to monitor early this season. For now, Kelley and Jackson are only worth rostering in deep fantasy leagues.