Rob Kelley unlikely to play for Washington vs. 49ers

Washington heads into Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers coming off a bye, but their injury report is not entirely cleaned up. We already knew cornerback Josh Norman would be sitting out Sunday’s game, but we can potentially add running back Rob Kelley to the list.

Kelley aggravated an ankle injury in Week 4, and did not practice on Wednesday. Following practice, head coach Jay Gruden met with Washington media and said Kelley is a long-shot to play.

If Kelley is unable to go, Chris Thompson and Samaje Perine will split the carries. Kelley played this past week, but left after seven carries. The prior week, Perine got 19 carries and one target, while Thompson got eight carries and seven targets. It seems a decent possibility we see a similar platoon this week.

The 49ers run defense is stout, while their coverage of running backs in the passing game is in the bottom third of the league. We don’t know yet if Reuben Foster will be playing, but if he is, that would be a big boost. But in the meantime, this could mean more Thompson than Perine on Sunday.

Washington practice participation report

DNP: LB Zach Brown (illness), S Deshazor Everett (hamstring), RB Rob Kelley (hamstring), CB Josh Norman (rib), OT Ty Nsekhe (core muscle), OT Trent Williams (knee)

Limited: S D.J. Swearinger (hamstring)

Full: WR Josh Doctson (shoulder), LB Mason Foster (shoulder), S Montae Nicholson (shoulder)