HEADLINES

Rob Kelley

Saints Sign RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Waive RB Rob Kelley

August 3rd, 2019 at 11:49am CST by Ben Levine

The Saints have swapped one veteran running back for another. Coach Sean Payton announced today that the team has signed Jacquizz Rodgers and waived Rob Kelley (via The Athletic’s Larry Holder on Twitter).

Rodgers, 29, spent the past three seasons with the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay used him as more of a traditional running back during his first two seasons with the team, including a 2016 campaign where he ran for 560 yards. In 2018, the veteran found some of the pass-catching prowess that he had displayed during his early-career stint with the Falcons. Rodgers ultimately finished last season with 38 receptions, which was his highest total since 2013.

After losing Mark Ingram in free agency, the Saints have been looking for another running back to pair with Alvin Kamara. Latavius Murray should have the first crack at the job, but if he struggles, Rodgers could easily take on a bigger role (although he’s not necessarily a complement to Kamara). The Saints are also rostering Dwayne Washington, Devine Ozigbo, and Matt Dayes.

Kelley averaged 4.2 yards per carry as a rookie in 2016, but he hasn’t shown anything close to that since. The 26-year-old only suited up for two games with the Redskins last year thanks to a toe injury, and there’s always been some questions about his weight. Still, considering his age, it wouldn’t be shocking if Kelley found another NFL opportunity.

Saints Place Buck Allen On IR

July 30th, 2019 at 12:08pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have placed running back Buck Allen on injured reserve, according to head coach Sean Payton. To take his place, the club has signed running back Robert Kelley. 

Allen worked out for the Saints in May alongside Kelley. Allen was the best of the bunch at the time, but Kelley will now get his shot now that the ex-Raven has been ruled out for the year.

Kelley only suited up for two games with the Redskins last year thanks to a toe injury (but he didn’t break his knee, dude.) The running back averaged 4.2 yards per carry as a rookie in 2016 and he’s hoping to regain his old form in 2019. Unfortunately for him, he has a tough road ahead of him to make the Saints’ roster. Behind star Alvin Kamara, the Saints already have Latavius Murray and the underrated Dwayne Washington.

In related moves, the club also inked wide receiver Travin Dural and waived defensive back Chris Campbell.

Saints Work Out RBs

May 23rd, 2019 at 3:58pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints worked out some running backs on Thursday, including Fozzy Whittaker, Robert Kelley, and Buck Allen (Twitter link via Josh Katzenstein of The Times-Picayune). All three vets are looking for a spot on the roster to backup top rushers Alvin Kamara and Lavavius Murray. 

Whittaker, 30, has spent the last five years with the Panthers, but lost his 2018 season to a torn ACL. For the most part, he was used as a reserve option and a third-down running back. He saw the most usage of his career in 2016 when he carried the ball 57 times and averaged an impressive 4.6 yards per try in that limited sample. In 2017, however, he had just seven carries in 12 games.

Kelley only suited up for two games with the Redskins last year thanks to a toe injury. Kelley averaged 4.2 yards per carry as a rookie in 2016, but has been unable to replicate that production.

Allen, meanwhile, saw time in 14 games for the Ravens last year, but averaged just 2.7 yards per rushing attempt. The former fourth-round pick had some moments early on in his career – including his 12 catches for 107 receiving yards against the Dolphins in 2015 – but has never topped the 4.0 YPC mark in any of his four NFL seasons.

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/13/19

March 13th, 2019 at 4:05pm CST by Zachary Links

Here is the latest news involving restricted free agents and exclusive-rights free agents, with updates coming throughout the day:

ERFA

Tendered:

Non-tendered:

RFA

Tendered at second-round level: 

Tendered at original-round level:

Non-tendered: 

Redskins Place Rob Kelley On IR

September 18th, 2018 at 4:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

Another Redskins running back will head to IR. Rob Kelley will join Derrius Guice and Byron Marshall on the team’s injured reserve list, with a toe injury set to shelve the third-year back for at least two months, John Keim of ESPN.com tweets.

Kelley was set to miss around a month of action because of this malady, per Jay Gruden (via Keim, on Twitter), and the Redskins decided to save a roster spot. Kelley, whom Gruden said might need surgery, will not be eligible to return to action for eight weeks.

Samaje Perine will now be Washington’s third active running back on game day, Keim adds, joining Chris Thompson and the resurgent Adrian Peterson. Kelley and Perine were set to be Washington’s top two backs, but Peterson’s August workout changed those plans. Kelley has received just four carries this season, gaining eight yards.

As a rookie, Kelley broke out and became the leading rusher for the playoff-contending Redskins. He amassed 704 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He was not as prominent of a backfield fixture last season, though, and saw the late-arriving Peterson usurp his potential 2018 role.

Reactions To Adrian Peterson Signing

August 20th, 2018 at 8:37pm CST by Ben Levine

We learned earlier today the Redskins were signing running back Adrian Peterson, and the team officially announced the transaction this evening. The future Hall of Famer struggled to gain much interest from NFL teams this offseason, so he’s naturally looking forward to returning to the field.

“I’m excited,” Peterson told Jake Kring-Schreifels of Redskins.com. “It’s been a long offseason but I’ve been keeping my body in shape and [I’m] ready for this opportunity. So when this opportunity presented itself, I was just excited.”

The 33-year-old also acknowledged it was difficult waiting around for a team to sign him, as the veteran had failed to generate any reported interest after being released by the Cardinals.

“I would be lying to you if I said [the offseason] wasn’t tough, because you’re human,” Peterson said. “I’ve seen guys come through that door and guys go through this process. I had a great appreciation for it. But me knowing what I had left in the tank, that was the only thing bothering me. But I knew in due time the opportunity would present itself.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes following Peterson’s signing…

  • ESPN.com’s John Keim writes that rookie Derrius Guice‘s injury wasn’t what led to Peterson’s signing. Rather, it was recent injuries to Samaje Perine and Byron Marshall that necessitated the move. Head coach Jay Gruden had previously stated that he wasn’t searching for a starting running back following Guice’s season-ending injury, and Keim believes the Peterson signing was simply the team’s attempt to be “proactive and aggressive when it comes to replacing injured players.” Of course, on the flip side, Keim also opines that the team wouldn’t have signed a player of Peterson’s caliber if they weren’t going to give him a crack at the starting gig.
  • Peterson is best when running in a gap scheme, allowing him to draw lineman to the middle before running to the outside. However, Mark Bullock of the Washinton Post opines that Peterson won’t be as successful when operating in the Redskins’ scheme, which relies on inside and outside zone running plays. Quarterback Alex Smith is also expected to function out of the shotgun formation, and Peterson hasn’t been as successful with these plays. Factor in Peterson’s lack of production in the passing game, and Bullock believes the running back may not be the best fit for Washington.
  • Even with Peterson joining the Redskins, Rob Kelley is expected to sit atop the running depth chart, writes Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press. Gruden has only indicated that third-down back Chris Thompson will have a definitive role, meaning Kelley, Peterson, or any of the other healthy backs could end up playing a major role in the running game. For what it’s worth, Kelley is ready for the competition. “There’s competition whether you think it or not,” Kelley said. “I just make sure I go out there and I make a few plays that the catch the coaches’ eyes and stuff like that and put myself in a great position.”

Redskins Place RB Rob Kelley On IR

November 14th, 2017 at 4:12pm CST by Zachary Links

Rob Kelley‘s season is over. The Redskins announced that the running back has been placed on injured reserve. As previously reported, Byron Marshall has been signed off of the Eagles’ practice squad to replace him. Rob Kelley (vertical)

Kelley, the Redskins’ top running back, is dealing with a high ankle sprain and a sprained MCL in his left knee. There was initially some hope that Kelley could return to the lineup later this season with some rest. Unfortunately, it sounds like he’ll need a little longer to recover and the Redskins are not willing to have him occupy a spot on the 53-man roster until he heals up.

Even before the latest injury, Kelley wasn’t all that sharp this year. In seven games (all starts), Kelley has ran for just 194 yards off of 62 carries, giving him an average of 3.18 yards per carry. He was previously dealing with a rib injury, so it’s possible that he has not been near full strength all year.

In 2016, Kelley’s rookie year, he had 704 yards off of 168 carries (4.2 yards per attempt) with six touchdowns. He also added 12 catches for 82 yards and one score.

Without Kelley, the Redskins will be relying on Chris Thompson, rookie Samaje Perine, and Marshall to hold down the running game. Of course, the trade deadline has come and gone, so the Redskins will be limited to the free agent market if they want to make any further upgrades to the group.

Redskins Sign RB Byron Marshall

November 14th, 2017 at 1:37pm CST by Zachary Links

The Redskins have bolstered their running backs group by plucking one from their rival. Washington is signing Byron Marshall off of the Eagles’ practice squad, a source tells Master Tesfatsion of The Washington Post. "<strong

Marshall comes to the Redskins at a time when they badly need depth at running back. Starter Robert Kelley is dealing with multiple injuries to his left knee and is expected to miss a few weeks, leaving rookie Samaje Perine and pass-catching specialist Chris Thompson as the team’s only healthy RBs. Marshall not only has a good chance to dress, but he could actually get some chances to carry the ball.

Marshall first came to the Eagles as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon in 2016. He was on the Eagles’ active roster for the final few games of last season and ran for 64 yards off of 19 attempts and hauled in three catches for ten yards. The 23-year-old hasn’t seen a ton of time on the field, but coaches have spoken highly of him in Philly.

Before signing Marshall, the Redskins also considered Ronnie Hillman and Daryl Richardson. Both veterans will have to continue to look for work elsewhere.

Redskins Audition RB Ronnie Hillman

November 13th, 2017 at 6:14pm CST by Ben Levine

With Rob Kelley dealing with multiple injuries to his left knee, the Redskins auditioned several free agent running backs today. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter), the team worked out Ronnie Hillman and Daryl Richardson.

Ronnie Hillman (vertical)Coach Jay Gruden confirmed earlier today that Kelley suffered a high ankle sprain and an MCL sprain. The 25-year-old is set to miss several games, leaving the team with only a pair of healthy running backs in Samaje Perine and Chris Thompson. The three running backs have each had an opportunity to establish themselves atop the depth chart this season, with Thompson leading the way with 771 all-purpose yards.

Hillman signed with the Cowboys during the offseason, be he was ultimately released prior to the start of the regular season. He appeared in eight games (one start) with the Vikings and Chargers last season, compiling 131 rushing yards on 41 carries. It’s only been two seasons since Hillman broke out with 863 rushing yards, but the 26-year-old hasn’t been able to find a consistent gig since.

Richardson has only appeared in 11 games since 2013, spending time with the Jets, Texans, Browns, Steelers, Jaguars, and Colts. His best season came in 2012, when he ran for 475 yards and hauled in 24 receptions for 163 yards.

Washington Signs 14 Undrafted Free Agents

May 6th, 2016 at 11:40am CST by Luke Adams

As rookie minicamps open around the NFL, more and more teams are officially announcing their undrafted free agent signings. Washington did so this morning, adding 14 new players to the 90-man roster, according to the team’s official website. Here’s the complete list of the UDFAs headed to D.C.: