Latest NFL injury update could mean an increased chance for former Tennessee Vol to stick with his team

John Kelly, Jr. has had a come and go relationship with the Cleveland Browns since he first came to town, having been signed and released many times since 2021.  However, after the latest news regarding the Browns' star running back, the chances of Kelly staying in town - at least for the beginning of the season - appear to be a little bit better.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry spoke with the media on Monday morning, and he noted that Nick Chubb still "has a little ways to go" in his rehab process while recovering from multiple torn ligaments last season.

Chubb tore his ACL and MCL in Week Two against the Steelers last season.  It was a horrifying injury, as Chubb's knee bent the wrong way during a tackle by Pittsburgh safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.  Two surgeries and an offseason later, Chubb is squatting an enormous amount of weight and looking potentially capable for a return during the season.

However, per Berry, it sounds like they're going to take their time with Chubb's return to football.  And if Chubb ends up starting the year off on the injured reserve list while he recovers, that would kick everyone in the running back pecking order up a notch, including Kelly.

What would typically happen is that the Browns must include Chubb on their initial 53-man roster, and then place him on injured reserve, which would keep him out for the season's first four weeks.  That means one running back who would normally be cut will be re-signed to the active roster, and a player who could be leaving town could end up staying on the practice squad.

That gives Kelly a legitimate shot at sticking around in Cleveland, either on the back end of the 53-man roster or on the practice squad.  Kelly spent a good portion of the 2023 season on the latter after failing to make the Browns' initial 53-man roster in August 2023. He signed back with the team in October and finished the year on Cleveland's practice squad, signing a futures/reserve contract in January to stay with the team.

Kelly, who rushed for 1573 career yards for the Tennessee Vols from 2015 to 2017, hasn't done much during his time in Cleveland.  He's appeared in just five games over three years.  The Browns have also added veterans D'Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines to the mix as well.  As such, the battle is likely still an uphill one for Kelly to stay in town.

However, Kelly will have his shot in the preseason, and his window could be cracked open slightly to start the year based on Chubb's situation.  It's up to him to push it back open.

Related: Tennessee Vols notch major recruiting win over Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon