Joshua Kelley

Los Angeles Chargers
Running Back #27
Los Angeles Chargers
Running Back #27
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Joshua Kelley News

Efficient season

Kelley finished the 2022-23 season with 69 carries for 287 yards and two touchdowns while catching 14 of his 25 targets for 101 yards.

Analysis: Kelley finished the season behind only Austin Ekeler in touches, yards and touchdowns among Chargers running backs. Kelley competed for opportunities with Sony Michel early in the season and missed four games with a sprained MCL, but the 25-year-old established himself as the clear backup by the end of the campaign, a role which he will hope to hold onto for next season.

Jan 10, 2023 10:49 AM EST


Solid yardage in win

Kelley tallied nine carries for 45 yards in Sunday's 31-10 win over the Rams. He also caught one of his two targets for one yard.

Analysis: Sunday marked Kelley's best rushing total since Week 5, and he did it on his fewest snaps since Week 13. Given Austin Ekeler's dominance and the overall feeble attempt by the Rams to compete, Kelley was hardly needed as anything more than a reserve option, and it's hard to imagine that changing much in Week 18 against the Broncos.

Jan 3, 2023 12:51 PM EST



Gets nine carries

Kelley rushed the ball nine times for 33 yards in Monday's 20-3 win over the Colts. He added one reception for nine yards.

Analysis: Kelley continued to serve as the clear backup to Austin Ekeler, and he has 19 carries combined across his last two games. Kelley ripped off gains of 11 and eight yards to highlight his performance, though Ekeler continued to dominate receiving opportunities and work near the goal line. However, with the Chargers locked into a postseason berth, Kelley could see a slight uptick in work across the final two games of the regular season.

Dec 26, 2022 9:34 PM EST


Gets into end zone Sunday

Kelley carried the ball 10 times for 24 yards and a touchdown and caught one of two targets for seven yards in Sunday's 17-14 win over the Titans.

Analysis: Austin Ekeler left the game briefly in the first quarter to be checked out for an arm injury, and while the Chargers' starting RB returned to the field quickly, Kelley still wound up tying his season high in carries while scoring his second TD of the year on a one-yard plunge. Assuming Ekeker is 100 percent, expect him to return to his usual limited role in Week 16, although that could still offer Kelley some deep-league fantasy upside against a Colts defense that has collapsed over the last two weeks.

Dec 18, 2022 7:35 PM EST


Rips long run in relief

Kelley tallied four carries for 29 yards and also caught one of his two targets for six yards in the 23-17 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.

Analysis: Kelley scampered for a 22-yard run early in the second quarter, accounting for one of the more explosive gains on the ground all year for the Chargers. The third-year back saw a season-high 32 offensive snaps Sunday, confirming the platooned back up running back situation has essentially been dissolved.

Dec 13, 2022 8:55 AM EST



Solid despite loss

Kelley carried the ball seven times for 30 yards and failed to catch his only target Sunday in the 27-20 loss to the Raiders.

Analysis: Kelley was the Chargers' most efficient runner, leading the team in yards per carry during a game in which the run game as whole struggled mightily. Even though the 25-year-old running back did not light up the stat sheet, this game was still reassuring for his value since he established himself as the clear-cut backup to Austin Ekeler as they were the only two backs to touch the ball.

Dec 6, 2022 10:46 AM EST


Quiet in return

Kelley carried the ball two times for four yards and caught two of his three targets for 16 yards during Sunday's 25-24 win versus the Cardinals.

Analysis: Kelley made his return to action after spending the past four games on injured reserve with a sprained MCL. Kelley saw both the second most snaps and touches amongst the Los Angeles running backs, but the third-year back still had less touches and yards than he had in all but one other game he's played the entirety of. As long as Austin Ekeler remains healthy, Kelley's usage should not be expected to increase, but is still worth holding onto in case the star running back gets hurt.

Nov 29, 2022 11:10 AM EST


Returns to active roster

The Chargers activated Kelley (knee) from injured reserve Saturday.

Analysis: Kelley has missed the requisite four games on IR as a result of an MCL sprain, but his return to action was forecast Wednesday when the team designated him for return. With three practices likely under his belt this week, he at least will be an option for L.A.'s backfield behind starter Austin Ekeler with Isaiah Spiller, Sony Michel and Larry Rountree. In six appearances this season, Kelley has averaged 4.5 YPC on his 23 rushes and hauled in seven of 10 targets for 56 yards.

Nov 26, 2022 1:42 PM EST


Designated to return from IR

Kelley (knee) has been designated to return from IR by the Chargers, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Analysis: With the move, the Chargers have a 21-day window to evaluate the running back, though coach Brandon Staley indicated Wednesday that if Kelley has a good week of practice he could be activated ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Once he's back in the mix, Kelley will look to reclaim a complementary role behind top option Austin Ekeler in a Los Angeles backfield that also includes Isaiah Spiller, Sony Michel and Larry Rountree.

Nov 23, 2022 3:07 PM EST


Expected to practice this week

Coach Brandon Staley said Monday that Kelley (knee) is expected to practice this week, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: The third-year running back was placed on IR at the end of October due to a knee injury. When Kelley does return to practice, it'll open a 21-day window for the Chargers to add him to the active roster.

Nov 21, 2022 1:46 PM EST


Placed on IR

Kelley (knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: This isn't a shocking development given Kelley hadn't practice at all this week, and information following the injury Monday seemed to be relatively guarded by the Chargers. Sony Michel appears poised to take over as the team's primary backup, but rookie fourth-round Isaiah Spiller could also work his way into the rotation after being a healthy inactive to begin his career.

Oct 22, 2022 1:51 PM EST


Not playing Sunday

Kelley (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Seahawks, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Analysis: Kelley made an early departure from Monday's eventual win against the Broncos with what eventually was deemed to be a sprained MCL. He subsequently didn't practice this week and may be in line for a multi-game absence as a result of the injury. In Kelley's absence, Sony Michel and rookie fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller will be the reserve running backs behind L.A.'s top option Austin Ekeler.

Oct 21, 2022 1:43 PM EST


DNP on Wednesday

Kelly (knee) was listed as a non-participant on the Chargers' injury report Wednesday.

Analysis: Kelley's absence from practice is no surprise, as he is expected to miss extended time after suffering an MCL sprain during Monday's win over the Broncos. The third-year running back split carries with fellow backup Sony Michel over the first six weeks of the season, recording 23 rushes for 104 yards and a touchdown and seven receptions for 56 yards. It's unclear exactly how long Kelley will be sidelined moving forward.

Oct 19, 2022 8:19 PM EST


Likely out multiple weeks

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Tuesday that Kelley suffered an MCL sprain during Monday's win over the Broncos and will be sidelined for multiple weeks, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Analysis: Kelley was riding the stationary bike after leaving Monday's contest, so the issue didn't initially appear to be too serious. However, Staley's comments suggest otherwise. It's possible Kelley winds up on IR to open up another roster spot, but in his absence, Sony Michel figures to operate as the top backup behind Austin Ekeler.

Oct 18, 2022 2:10 PM EST


Hurts knee on MNF

Kelley (knee) is questionable to return to Monday's game against the Broncos.

Analysis: Kelley went to the blue medical tent along the sideline, then exited the tent and began riding the stationary bike along the sideline. While his injury doesn't appear to be too serious based on that series of events, it remains to be seen whether Kelley can return Monday. Sony Michel will be an option to spell Austin Ekeler while Kelley's sidelined.

Oct 17, 2022 6:15 PM EST


First TD of year

Kelley carried the ball 10 times for 49 yards and a touchdown in the 30-28 win over the Browns on Sunday. He also caught both of his targets for 33 yards.

Analysis: Kelley actually tallied the second most receiving yards on the team Sunday in what amounted to a heavy attack on the ground. It's entirely possible head coach Brandon Staley and company simply chose to ride the hot hand, but it's worth pointing out Kelley tallied 10 carries to Sony Michel's one, a possible sign the platoon backup backfield situation could be seeing a new hierarchy taking place. In any case, the third-year back still remains firmly behind Austin Ekeler who set a career high in rushing yards Sunday and also scored two touchdowns.

Oct 9, 2022 3:31 PM EST


Does little in win

Kelley carried the ball four times for 15 yards and didn't catch either of his two targets in Sunday's 34-24 win over the Texans.

Analysis: Kelley has routinely seen the larger snap share of backup platoon with Sony Michel, but it was the veteran who ultimately outsnapped Kelley 17 to 14 in a game in which the Chargers rode a comfortable lead for much of the contest. Kelley has been the more explosive of the backup backs in terms of yards per carry, but he's seen nine fewer carries with Michel seemingly locked in as the between-the-tackles ballcarrier.

Oct 3, 2022 6:58 PM EST


Operates as No. 2 back

Kelley attempted four carries for 22 yards in Thursday's 27-24 loss to the Chiefs. He also caught one of his two targets for three yards.

Analysis: Kelley played 19 offensive snaps compared to Sony Michel's nine, but the tandem ultimately saw the same amount of touches in a game in which the Chargers could never solidify a dominant lead. Expect the third-year back to continue operating in a timeshare as the backup to Austin Ekeler.

Sep 16, 2022 8:18 AM EST


Splits time as backup

Kelley tallied four carries for 21 yards and also snared two receptions for 14 yards in Sunday's 24-19 win over the Raiders.

Analysis: Both Kelley and newly signed Sony Michel worked in tandem to spell nominal starter Austin Ekeler as the duo combined for 34 offensive snaps compared to Ekeler's 33. Kelley outsnapped the new veteran 18 to 16 and produced significantly more in terms of yardage (35 total yards to Michel's 12), but the lack of carries (four) could complicate an already muddy backup backfield situation if Ekeler were to get injured.

Sep 13, 2022 8:02 AM EST


Even with Rountree after preseason

Kelley rushed six times for 40 yards and caught his only target for one yard in Friday's 27-10 preseason loss to the Saints.

Analysis: Kelley and Larry Rountree split the early reps at running back. The former looked more explosive, but the latter found the end zone despite mustering just 12 rushing yards on six attempts. Both Kelley and Rountree figure to mix in behind Austin Ekeler early in the season while rookie fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller works his way back from an ankle injury, but Spiller could wind up being the No. 2 running back later in the season unless one of Kelley or Rountree shows substantial improvement compared to previous years.

Aug 26, 2022 8:04 PM EST


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