Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley may have finally hit rock bottom in a Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Kelley ran the ball just once, losing two yards. He was not targeted in the passing game, leaving him with a total of negative two yards on the day. Kelley has been operating as Austin Ekeler's backup while Ekeler has been healthy, but he's at least had some change-of-pace opportunities in past games. He can be safely dropped by any fantasy managers still holding on for some reason.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley is unlikely to do much in a Week 16 game against the Buffalo Bills. Kelley was an afterthought in Week 15, where Isaiah Spiller led the backfield and Austin Ekeler got his work in as well. Kelley ended up with five carries for 22 yards and one catch for six more yards. He's likely in for a similar performance this week, leaving him off the fantasy radar in most formats, especially in a playoff week.
Joshua Kelley Gets Five Carries In Week 15 Embarrassment
Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley got five carries in a Week 15 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Kelley ran the ball five times, gaining 22 yards but losing a fumble. He ended up with the same number of carries as "starter" Austin Ekeler, but third-string running back Isaiah Spiller led the backfield in carries with 16 and yards with 50. It was a mess of a game that ended up as a 63-21 Chargers loss. Kelley won't be much of a fantasy option going forward in what could be the worst offensive team in the National Football League.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley is not an appealing fantasy asset in most leagues for a Week 15 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. There were rumors before last week's game that the Chargers may have a backfield competition, but that never happened, as Austin Ekeler retained his starting role and Joshua Kelley retained his role as the struggling backup and change-of-pace option. Kelley should not be started in Week 15 and can remain on the waiver wire in most leagues.
Joshua Kelley Doesn't See An Uptick In Playing Time
A report surfaced last week that the Los Angeles Chargers might involve running back Joshua Kelley more in Week 14 against the Denver Broncos with Austin Ekeler struggling to get anything going on the ground. That didn't end up happening. Instead, Kelley played a season-low 10 percent of the offensive snaps -- even Isaiah Spiller was on the field more -- and had three carries for six yards in the 24-7 loss. He wasn't involved in the passing game. The Bolts fell behind by a couple scores early and were never able to get back into the contest. It didn't help that quarterback Justin Herbert fractured his right index finger and didn't return after halftime. The 26-year-old backup remains well off the fantasy radar, especially now that Herbert might be forced to miss the final four games of the regular season.
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, frustrated by the lack of production in the running game, noted Wednesday that "competition for carries is going to be something that you can see happening." Starter Austin Ekeler has lacked explosiveness since returning from his ankle injury, and age may be catching up to him. He's averaging under three yards per carry since his return. Backup Joshua Kelley hasn't topped the three-yard mark in any of his last three games, so he may not be the answer, either. Regardless, it seems that the coaching staff is eager to find a solution to their running woes, and that could mean more of a split workload on Sunday.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley is not a fantasy option in any format in a Week 10 game against the Detroit Lions. Kelley had a chance to start while Austin Ekeler was out, but now that Ekeler is back and playing well again, Kelley is little more than his backup and an occasional change of pace. In the past four games, Kelley has combined for 20 fantasy points, with 14 of those coming in Week 7. He might be worth a roster spot on a deep bench for Ekeler's fantasy managers, but other than that he can safely be left on the waiver wire in most leagues.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley is not a starting option in fantasy lineups for a Week 9 game against the New York Jets. With Austin Ekeler back and finally playing well in Week 8, Kelley settled back into his distant second spot in the Chargers backfield hierarchy, getting just six touches and two fantasy points. He's worth keeping on the bench in deeper leagues, especially for those who roster Ekeler, but he shouldn't be near any fantasy starting lineups this week.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley isn't a good starting option in most fantasy leagues in a Week 8 game against the Chicago Bears. Kelley ended up finishing as the overall RB14 in Week 7 by putting up 14 fantasy points, but most of that came on a single play where he found a hole and ran in a long touchdown. He's playing well behind starter Austin Ekeler, and is unlikely to repeat his performance, instead filling in as a change-of-pace and whenever Ekeler needs a breather.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley ran well in a Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Kelley got seven carries, gaining 75 yards and scoring a long touchdown. Kelley was out-touched 14-7 by Austin Ekeler, but was able to significantly out-gain him, 75-45. Kelley's 49-yard touchdown certainly helped, but he generally looked like the more explosive back behind the Chargers Charmin-soft offensive line. He won't have consistent fantasy upside going forward, but Week 8 against the Bears could be a good matchup coming up.
