The Tennessee Titans signed free-agent running back Joshua Kelley to their practice squad on Tuesday and promoted defensive back Tre Avery from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster in a corresponding move. Kelley comes to the Titans after spending training camp this summer with the New York Giants before they released him prior to the start of the regular season. The 26-year-old was originally drafted in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020 out of UCLA. Kelley spent his first four years in the NFL in LA, averaging 3.6 yards per carry while scoring six rushing touchdowns on 320 total carries. For now, he'll provide extra depth at RB for Tennessee after Tyjae Spears suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 6 loss to the division-rival Indianapolis Colts. For now, fantasy managers can continue to ignore Kelley.
The Giants cut ties with running back Joshua Kelley. The 26-year-old entered the league as the No. 112 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. In 54 games with the Chargers, he totaled 1,148 yards and six touchdowns off 320 touches. He added 50 grabs for 319 yards. Kelly never found his rhythm in Los Angeles. It's apparent the same was true in New York. With that in mind, his experience may give him another opportunity to play for another team in the National Football League. But his fantasy outlook isn't promising, and that likely won't change.
New York Giants running back Joshua Kelley gained 40 yards on eight carries and caught two of his three targets to net an additional yard through the air in Saturday's loss to the Jets. Kelley gained 19 yards on his first carry, benefitting from some timely blocks and showcasing his agility to make would-be tacklers miss. Kelley was nearly on the receiving end of a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, but the attempt was swatted down at the line of scrimmage. The score would have been a nice way to end the preseason for the fifth-year veteran as he is not a lock to make the Giants' final roster. Teams are required to cut down to 53 players on Tuesday. Even if Kelley is included, he will be buried on the depth chart and not viable in fantasy.
The New York Giants signed running back Joshua Kelley on Thursday. The move comes on the heels of rookie fifth-rounder Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) suffering an ankle injury earlier this week. Kelley is a former fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers from the 2020 NFL Draft, producing 405 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 17 games during the 2023 season. The 26-year-old power back should have a decent chance of making the Giants' roster later this summer as a No. 3 or No. 4 option out of the backfield, and if he does, Kelley would be a candidate to vulture goal-line touches from lead back Devin Singletary and see some early-down work in New York this fall. This role likely wouldn't be enough for fantasy relevance, though.
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.
Joshua Kelley
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Titans
