According to The Athletic, Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Joshua Kelley “might be having the best training camp of any player on the roster”.

The Athletic’s Daniel Popper was effusive in his praise for the rookie running back, adding that Kelley has broken off several long runs against the first team defense. He has impressed with his speed to the edge, and while he is still working behind Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson, he has shown enough as both a runner and receiver to be a factor in the backfield. This is what head coach Anthony Lynn had to say “I believe Joshua is having an outstanding camp. He shows up every day with a smile on his face, works extremely hard. He’s made plays. I’ve thrown him in with the ones; he’s made plays. He’s in with the twos; he’s made plays. And he has shown a versatility. He can catch the ball out of the backfield well...”. Kelley appears set to open the season behind Justin Jackson, but once he masters the playbook he should be able to earn himself an expanded role behind Ekeler.

Justin Jackson and rookie Joshua Kelley are neck and neck in the race for the No. 2 running back job behind Austin Ekeler.

Jackson started the week with a sizable lead after making a handful of long rushing gains in Monday’s and Tuesday’s workouts.

On Wednesday, Lynn said Kelley’s head was swimming with learning the new offense. Lynn changed his tone after Kelley ended the week with three impressive practices to narrow the gap on Jackson.

The story said by the end of the week, Kelley was running with the first team. The story went on to say Kelley might have the edge because he fills the role of the power running back, but Jackson continues to churn out yards at a high rate. Jackson has displayed power between the tackles and Kelley has made catches from the backfield.