Kelly likely to miss Saturday game
Redskins third year receiver Malcolm Kelly is suppose to return to practice tomorrow, but will still likely miss Saturday night's second pre-season game against the Baltimore ravens. Kelly missed Friday nights 42-17 win over Buffalo.
Kelly's injury history had many scouts concerned about drafting him, causing him to fall into the second round to Washington. Kelly has not only been inconsistent on the field, but has been bitten by the very injury bug that caused his draft stock to plummet.
Kelly missed Friday nights game and now missing Saturday's second pre-season game will likely severely hamper his chance to crack the 53 man roster. The strong performances of Devin Thomas and Anthony Armstrong, along with the 77 yard punt return by Brandon Banks, had to have hurt Kelly's standing in the receiving unit.
Currently the leading three receivers are: Santana Moss, Joey Galloway, and Roydell Williams. If the Redskins plan to carry three additional receivers, six total, which HC Mike Shanahan hinted at, that leaves three spots open. Armstrong seems to have solidified his spot as the fourth receiver and Thomas did nothing to hurt the justification that he deserves the 4th or 5th spot as well. That would leave one spot open.
Logic would say that spot may be filled for Danny Smith's special teams unit, such as Banks at punt returner or draft choice Terrence Austin at punt or kick returner. What hurts Kelly is the fact that he does not play special teams, let alone much receiver. Additionally, one other thing not going in Kelly's direction is thee fact that Vinny Cerrato, the man that drafted him, is no longer here. Neither Bruce Allen or Shanahan are tied to Kelly making the roster.
If I were Malcolm Kelly, I am not sure I would be feeling real well about my position within the roster.
