Rob Kelley fantasy update: Redskins’ RB day-to-day

Washington Redskins running back Rob Kelley suffered a rib injury on Sunday, but he may not be out as long as initially thought.

Early in Sunday’s game against Los Angeles Rams, Washington Redskins’ rung back Rob Kelley had his way on the ground with 78 yards on 12 carries. But he suffered a rib injury in the second quarter, and missed the rest of the game.

After the game, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden suggested Kelley was dealing with a rib fracture. That brought a multi-week absence firmly into play, and surely sent Kelley’s fantasy owners to the waiver wire in their leagues looking to add Chris Thompson or Samaje Perine.

Thompson had two rushing touchdowns on Sunday, most notably a 61-yard run to pay dirt, along with three receptions for 29 yards. Perine got an extended opportunity with Kelley out, and finished the game with a pedestrian 67 yards on 21 carries (3.2 yards per carry).

But there is some good news regarding Kelley, and he’s now considered day-to-day with a rib cartilage injury.

Kelley’s status for Week 3 Sunday night against the Oakland Raiders is still uncertain, but he at least appears to not be facing a lengthy absence. Thompson’s role in the passing game is safe, regardless of Kelley’s status (seven receptions on 12 targets in two games this season), and he’s worth checking on despite being pretty widely owned in ESPN fantasy leagues (67.3 percent). In PPR formats, Thompson is a virtual must-add if he’s still available.

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Perine’s fantasy stock is the most affected by Kelley’s outlook, as he would step into the early down role. So his immediate appeal as a waiver wire addition is not quite as good now. But the rookie out of Oklahoma is very widely available (1.8 percent owned in ESPN leagues), and still worth considering as a stash in 12 and 14-team leagues.