According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley is “firmly in the lead” to backup starter Austin Ekeler.
Popper said on Tuesday’s practice, “Kelley was the first running back to catch a pass in seven-on-seven. He was the first running back on the field in the opening 11-on-11 period. He got the second carry, behind Ekeler, in the second 11-on-11 period…And Kelley carried out of shotgun on the opening rep of the red zone 11-on-11 period.”
A fourth-round pick of the Chargers in 2020, Kelley was widely expected to lose backup duties to rookie Isaiah Spiller.