Robert Kelley

Robert Kelley has been placed on injured reserve after injuring his toe on Sunday against the Colts. He must stay on the IR for at least eight games.

Fantasy Impact

The loss of Kelley moves Samaje Perine into the backup role for early-down work behind Adrian Peterson with Chris Thompson working as a change of pace and passing down back. Kelley can be dropped if he was lurking at the end of your bench.

Robert Kelley carried the ball seven times for 17 yards and added one catch for 13 yards in Thursday's preseason game against the New York Jets.

Fantasy Impact

With Derrius Guice done for the season with a torn ACL, Chris Thompson still not ready to play, and fellow running backs Samaje Perine and Byron Marshall leaving the game with injuries, Kelley is suddenly getting a ton of time with the first team offense after entering training camp on the roster bubble. He still has a long way to go before he is relevant for fantasy this season, but he does have a lot working in his favor right now.

Once referred to as "Fat Rob," Washington running back Robert Kelley slimmed down in the offseason in an attempt to stay healthy and stick on the roster this season. By his own account, Kelley is lighter and faster and is down to 221 pounds. During his senior season at Tulane, the running back weighed in at 249 pounds.

Fantasy Impact

Kelley is hoping that slimming down will help him avoid some of the injuries that derailed his 2017 season, and the early reports out of training camp say that he has been impressing. However, with a crowded backfield that features Derrius Guice (2018 second round pick), Samaje Perine (2017 fourth round pick), and Chris Thompson (one of the best receiving running backs in the NFL), Kelley has an uphill battle for touches.

The Washington Redskins wrapped up their second week of OTAs with third-year running back Rob Kelley getting the first crack at first-team reps out of the backfield. Kelley has also shown improvements as a pass-catcher during OTAs but seems to understand that he's highly unlikely to have a featured role in a crowded Washington backfield, saying “I did get frustrated at moments, but you realize in the NFL things happen and you’ve got to be able to move on and move forward from it. Not sit back and whine about it all day.”

Fantasy Impact

Kelley only ran for 3.1 yards-per-carry last season and was limited to seven games. His top billing is likely a courtesy from head coach Jay Gruden. The Redskins just spent the No. 59 pick on explosive Derrius Guice, who is most likely to take the majority of first- and second-down carries while ceding third-down work to Chris Thompson. Rob Kelley should be viewed as nothing more than a late-round depth target in deep fantasy leagues.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting Washington Redskins RB Robert Kelley (ankle/ knee) was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain and a grade a 1/2 MCL sprain in his knee on Monday.

Fantasy Impact

Kelley exited Sunday loss to the Vikings with ankle and knee injuries early in the first half. Following his unfavorable diagnosis of a high-ankle sprain and a grade 1/2 MCL sprain in his knee on Monday, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden told the press the injured rusher will miss an extended period and could even end up on the season-ending injured reserve list as a result. Samaje Perine will be employed as the Redskins' RB1 on early downs in the starter's absence.