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Predicting the Redskins inactives for Week 1 vs. Cardinals

By Jacob Camenker

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 30: Rob Kelley #20 of the Washington Redskins is tackled by Kenny Young #40 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 30: Rob Kelley #20 of the Washington Redskins is tackled by Kenny Young #40 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Rob Kelley #20 of the Washington Redskins cuts back against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Rob Kelley #20 of the Washington Redskins cuts back against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

This may be a controversial pick, but I am firmly on the Samaje Perine hype train. While Adrian Peterson will handle the early-down work and Chris Thompson will play the passing downs, the team will probably still dress one backup to Peterson. Whether that’s Perine or Rob Kelley is unclear.

One would assume that Kelley would have the upper hand at the moment. Perine had a bad fumble in the second preseason game whereas Kelley has been sure-handed throughout his NFL career. That alone would be enough to give Kelley the nod, as Jay Gruden hates fumbles.

However, Perine was the more explosive of the two in the preseason. He had a couple of really nice runs, and there’s a good chance that he could emerge as a player that could split time with Peterson. If it wasn’t for the preseason fumble and his injury, Perine would probably be firmly entrenched as the No. 1 or No. 2 back on this squad.

For that reason, I think the sensible move would be to sit Kelley. While Kelley offers some skills on special teams and can often turn nothing into a couple of yards, he simply isn’t explosive. He doesn’t have the same vision or burst as Perine. So, he would offer little as a complement to Peterson. He would serve as more of a battering ram at the goal-line. Perine has a bit more to offer, especially as a pass catcher.

Kelley may not actually sit. He’s the player that I’m least confident in listing as a potential inactive. But, he probably should be the guy who doesn’t see action. Hopefully, Gruden and his staff will see it the same way, and Perine will get a chance to showcase his skills as the top backup.

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