Redskins coach Jay Gruden benched RB Matt Jones after a 20-17 loss to Detroit, in which he fumbled for the eighth time in his young career while fighting for extra yards just shy of the goal line. He was ruled inactive for the remainder of the season.

Heading into April's draft, the Redskins reportedly shopped Jones for a trade. Getting no offers, they used their fourth-round pick on Oklahoma's Samaje Perine, sending another signal that Jones didn't figure in their plans in 2017.

Related players: Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson, Mack Brown, Keith Marshall

The story said the team will carry six running backs into training camp this month: Jones, incumbent starter Rob Kelley, Perine, third-down specialist Chris Thompson, Mack Brown and rookie Keith Marshall. Jones' ball control issues likely have cost him a significant role this year the way it looks now.

Redskins offensive coordinator Mat Cavanaugh indicated that they will play (the running game) by ear.

“(Rob Kelley) obviously has earned the starting job, and I think really it’s a game-to-game evaluation, an in-game evaluation of how well he’s doing and how winded he is – ‘Does he need a blow?’ said Cavanaugh. “We just feel like we’ve got depth at that position now with a lot of similar-type players: stocky, quick-footed, strong, smart guys that can sub in for each other. I wouldn’t put a pitch count on any of them, but obviously if a guy’s got a hot hand and he’s feeling good and he’s not gassed, we’ll keep him on the field. Ideally, maybe have some third-down reps too.”

That last part means that they could play Kelley or Samaje Perine on third downs. They could also expand Thompson out of his usual third-down role.

“Historically here, Chris has been our third-down back, but there’s no reason why can’t play him on first and second down,” said Cavanaugh. “But just rotating the backs, keeping them fresh, we’ve got confidence in all of them.”

Kelley won the RB1 job in Week 8, and from that point on, he was the #13 RB in standard (#15 in PPR) down the stretch. He averaged 4.19 YPC, which was the 14th highest per carry average of the 27 running backs who saw at least 150 carries last year. Rookie Samaje Perine will make a hard push for the job, but it's clear that Kelley is taking his job seriously by getting leaner in the offseason. He is currently very cheap (10th/11th round) in early drafts.

After last season, Redskins RB Rob Kelley knew he could do more. So among this offseason tasks: trim the body fat. He cut out processed foods and sugar and snacks such as potato chips and granola bars, replacing them with bananas, cut-up apples and watermelon. Now Kelley said he has around 13 percent body fat, down from 18 percent at its peak last season.

He's not necessarily a new man, but he and the Redskins hope he's an improved one.

"I feel more explosive, faster, getting in and out of cuts a little better," Kelley said.

The Redskins drafted Samaje Perine in the fourth round of the draft, issuing a challenge to Kelley. Redskins coach Jay Gruden told Kelley the starting job is his to lose.

Kelley won the RB1 job in Week 8, and from that point on, he was the #13 RB in standard (#15 in PPR) down the stretch. He averaged 4.19 YPC, which was the 14th highest per carry average of the 27 running backs who saw at least 150 carries last year. Samaje Perine will make a hard push for the job, but it's clear that Kelley is taking his job seriously by getting leaner in the offseason.

Redskins RB Samaje Perine makes his strength and downhill running ability immediately obvious, but he can turn a corner remarkably well for someone 5-foot-11 and 234 pounds. If he can prove himself as an asset in the passing game, Perine could challenge Rob Kelley for the top running back job in the fall.

“You see him out there running around – were you impressed?” Jay Gruden asked after practice Saturday. “Yeah, so was I. I like guys who come in here and love football and he does. He’s a very smart guy. You can tell that he’s going to be a very hard worker and, of course, he runs hard.

“You can’t see that in shorts, obviously, but you could see that his pad level is always down, he’s got good vision, he’s got good feet in the hole and he caught the ball well.”

ESPN beat writer John Keim predicted that Perine would usurp Rob Kelley and be the RB1 by Week 1. If so, he'll be a terrific value at his current draft position in the 9th round.