RICHMOND—The battle for roster spots at running back has been brewing throughout the offseason program in the spring and now it’s coming to a head in August. There are multiple levels to the competition and that means that a lot of questions beyond which player is better need to be answered. We’ll skip one thing that isn’t in question, that Chris Thompson and Derrius Guice are roster locks.

How many running backs will they keep?

They could carry anywhere from three to five. They carried three for a significant part of the 2017 season when injuries forced them to add players to cover for injuries at other positions. Jay Gruden said that having five running backs on the roster was “probably a stretch, but a possibility.” It’s a stretch. Four is the most likely number by far.

Does Gruden want a backup to Thompson on the roster?

Gruden has talked about the importance of Thompson’s third-down back role in the offense. When Thompson went out for the season with a broken leg in Week 11, the offense suffered. There was not a backup for Thompson on the roster. They signed Byron Marshall away from the Eagles’ practice squad and he was starting to get going when he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury after four games. Kapri Bibbs was on the street and he made some key plays after he was signed. It was fortunate that they were able to find some good talent available when Thompson got injured. Do they want to take a chance they could find someone again if the injury bug strikes again?

How much will special teams really matter?

The third- and fourth- string running backs need to be able to contribute on special teams. Marshall can return kickoffs and Bibbs probably can, too. Kelly said that in practice he has been working with the punting team, punt block, and kickoff return teams. Perine has been working on special teams in practice, too. It will be interesting to watch the kicks during the preseason games to see who stands out in coverage. That could give Kelley or Perine an edge in the battle for a roster spot.

Will they cut their fourth-round pick from last year?

If this really is two competitions in one, with a Marshall-Bibbs competition for the backup third-down back spot and Perine vs. Kelley for the first- and second-down back job, what happens if Kelley beats out Perine? Last year, Perine was the team’s fourth-round draft pick. He also led the team in rushing. Perine needs to improve his rookie average of 3.4 yards per carry and break more tackles, but he is a good prospect. Will the Redskins be willing to move on from him after just one year?

Is Kelley a roster lock?

This competition may be three backs going for one roster spot. Gruden has always like Kelley and last week he praised how well Kelley has done in camp so far. “Kelley has had a great camp,” he said. “I don't know if anybody has been out there, but he looks very good.” It came off as Gruden saying that the notion that Kelley won’t make the team is crazy. It also should be noted that Kelley spoke to reporters from the podium last week and nobody could think of a player who did that and then was cut a month later.

Redskins 2018 training camp news

-More contact at camp: Evolution of Jay Gruden

-RB Derrius Guice: No goals for Guice

Stay up to date on the Redskins. Rich Tandler covers the team 365 days a year. Like his Facebook page, Facebook.com/TandlerNBCS and follow him on Twitter @TandlerNBCS and on Instagram @RichTandler.