The Washington Redskins already entered training camp with running back being one of the more intense competition on the team — and NFL for that matter. However, a torn ACL for Derrius Guice and a prolonged ankle injury for Byron Marshall reshaped the position midway through preseason. The team was forced to sign Adrian Peterson and after the 2012 NFL MVP overtook control of the No. 1 spot on the depth chart last week, preseason favorites Robert Kelley, Samaje Perine and Kapri Bibbs were forced to possibly fight for a roster spot in Thursday’s finale against the Baltimore Ravens.
When all was said and done, Kelley and Bibbs stood out while Perine, who has battled through an ankle injury of his own, is seemingly on the bubble.
1. Robert Kelley Reestablished Himself
When Kelley exploded on the scene as an undrafted rookie in 2016, it appeared the Redskins may have a sleeper long-term. However, Kelley struggled in 2017 with injuries and with the emergence of Perine, Marshall and Bibbs in an injury-riddled 2017 season, Kelley was perceived to be someone that needed to reestablish himself within the roster.
The first three weeks of the preseason didn’t exactly do that for him, although his head coach Jay Gruden maintained he was showing he was a step ahead in practice. With Peterson’s signing and emergence, Kelley was presumably left fighting to prove his worth to remain on the roster. On Thursday he showed a side that was missing in game action.
Kelley had a pep in his step and bounce on each of his carries. It was eerily similar to the bounce and cuts that Peterson showcased a week ago against Denver. Kelley knifed through the Ravens’ defense much of the night, finishing with 49 yards on 11 carries. He also had a six-yard touchdown run negated by a holding penalty by tight end Matt Flanagan.
Kelley did a great job jump stepping in and out of the gaps and bursting through holes with great speed and cutbacks. His near 10-pound weight drop was on full display.
Kelley also showed he can contribute in the passing game, catching two passes for 14 yards. He showed his toughness when he took an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit on a pass out of the backfield that drew a penalty. He shrugged the hit off and did not miss a snap. He also displayed his improved pass protection.
Thing to note on the big catch by Trey Quinn, Rob Kelley's pass pro. Quickly identifies blitzer off the edge and picks it up, gives Hogan time to make his throw. pic.twitter.com/bAOlCzZiPx
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) August 31, 2018
While it’s hard to say if one game will impact Gruden and his staff’s decisions for final cuts, Kelley certainly improved his stock with a stamping performance.
2. Kapri Bibbs Is an Insurance Policy
With Marshall out for the foreseeable future and Chris Thompson, the team’s lead scatback, recovering from a broken leg from last season, Bibbs has had a golden opportunity to prove why he should remain on the roster. Just like much of training camp and preseason, Bibbs did not disappoint Thursday in Baltimore.
The speedy back caught three passes for 41 yards, including a 26-yard reception on a perfectly executed wheel route.
Kapri Bibbs continuing to impress in preseason. Wheel route vs LB in man is a win for Bibbs. Gotta make the final 53 imo pic.twitter.com/QCdgZeXDJ3
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) August 31, 2018
He also rushed for 11 yards on two carries with a five-yard gain and six in his two carries. His speed and pass catching abilities are second to only Thompson on the Redskins roster. One would say even if Marshall was healthy. And much like Kelley, Bibbs showed he can pass protect.
The Redskins have essentially two running back positions, and just like Kelley may have established himself as their second running back, Bibbs stated his case to be the team’s second third down back and an insurance policy for recovering Thompson.
3, Samaje Perine Just Can’t Hold on to the Football
What a difference a year makes, right?
Perine was the lead back for the Redskins after leading the team as a rookie in rushing yards in 2017. However, Kelley came back in tip-top shape and the team drafted Guice in the second-round. Perine had to reestablish himself and knock off his struggles of lack of burst in his runs and a tendency to fumble the football.
Unfortunately, he suffered an ankle injury on his first carry — ironically a 30-yard gain to the outside — in the second preseason game. He missed the following game while in a walking boot, leaving the team to sign Peterson, who showed off in his lone game in a Redskins’ uniform.
Perine came back to Thursday’s game fighting for his roster spot. He showed the same quick burst he did two weeks ago, rushing for 30 yards on seven carries, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. However, he has not shook off the tendency of losing the football.
In the second quarter, Perine got the ball stripped out of his hands by Ravens defensive lineman Patrick Ricard. Ricard was able to recover the football, killing a promising drive. Baltimore would convert the turnover into a field goal.
Samaje Perine can't afford to fumble the ball. This didn't appear to be a particularly strong play on the ball, just hit from underneath. Has to protect the ball better. pic.twitter.com/92MAYfrYWQ
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) August 31, 2018
Perine has been just as impressive running the football as anyone when healthy, however, his inability to protect the football may be his downfall. In a race that is tight as ever, any hiccups can be the difference of making the team or not. Perine’s stock certainly suffered some Thursday, especially with Kelley looking so well.
4. De’Veon Smith Makes Statement for Practice Squad
An undrafted free agent in 2017, Smith already had the odds stacked against him making the Redskins roster. Add to the fact, running back is one of the two deepest positions on the team, and Smith’s chances of making the 53-man roster is nonexistence. However, he has displayed a great deal of speed and has impressed enough to make a strong case of being part of Washington’s 10-man practice squad.
Thursday, he shined once again. Smith finished with 42 yards on seven carries, including a 20-yard gain. He also snagged a 28-yard touchdown reception.
Considering, the fact the Redskins could lose control of a good running back with the potential release of one or two between Kelley, Perine and Bibbs, Smith makes a perfect case to be a player the Redskins would love to get back for the practice squad to further develop and keep within its walls.
Smith will be released before Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline, but providing another team jumping on the opportunity, he could be returning to Redskins Park shortly afterwards.
5. Redskins Will be Losing Control of a Good Running Back
Peterson and Thompson are roster locks, leaving up to two more positions remaining. Gruden previously hinted the Redskins may not include five running backs on the 53-man roster and nothing seems apparent to change that unless the team really does not want to lose control of Kelley, Perine, or Bibbs.
Because whoever is released is sure to be signed by another NFL team. It’s safe to assume there has been quite of bit of scout eyes on the Redskins’ running back situation from the start of training camp, knowing someone good would be available after final cuts. Now that Peterson has joined the team, the quality of that back has improved greatly whether it’s Kelley or Perine.
Just how unforgiving the NFL is, the Redskins may decide of releasing either one of their leading rushers from the previous two seasons.
