Redskins send running back Robert Kelley to injured reserve

The Redskins came out of Monday’s events with one too many players on their roster. They remedied that issue today, albeit at a cost.

The Washington Redskins entered the 2018 regular season with four running backs on the active roster: Adrian Peterson, Chris Thompson, Rob Kelley, and Samaje Perine.

For the first two games of the season, Perine was rendered inactive, while Rob Kelley took the field as the third running back. He also functioned as a full back on occasion, and contributed on special teams as well.

Now, after just eight quarters of action, Kelley’s season is presumably over. Yesterday, it was reported that the Tulane product could be out for a month with an apparent toe injury suffered in Sunday’s 21-9 loss to the Colts. In light of that development, the Redskins have placed Kelley on injured reserve. He joins two other running backs there: Derrius Guice and Byron Marshall.

Per D.C. sports reporter Craig Hoffman, Washington also released defensive back Jeremy Reaves and wide receiver Teo Redding from the practice squad. They filled those two open spots with offensive tackle Chris Durant and Jehu Chesson.

Samaje Perine will likely suit up in Kelley’s stead as the third running back on game days. The Oklahoma product amassed 603 yards and a touchdown on 175 carries in his rookie season. He’s a solid depth option, and he’s a player who will see more playing time if 33-year old Adrian Peterson succumbs to wear and tear, as he did with the Cardinals last season after a fast start.

With Kelley on injured reserve, and two rather uncertain commodities at wide receiver in Breshad Perriman and Michael Floyd, it’s unclear whether or not the Redskins will add a new fourth back to their stable. Kapri Bibbs is an obvious candidate, if such an event were to occur; He still resides on the practice squad, and he could offer more speed than what the Redskins currently have.

Whatever the case, the Redskins are again hurting on offense. Their receivers have underwhelmed in the early goings of 2018, and at running back, the duo of Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson doesn’t appear to be an antidote for stifling defenses, as Week 1 originally teased.