The Raiders did not tender Kelly (knee) as a restricted free agent Wednesday.
Kelly ended the 2025 season on injured reserve after rupturing the patella tendon in his left knee Week 14 against the Broncos. Before the injury, the 2023 fifth-rounder appeared in 13 regular-season games (eight starts) for the Raiders and finished with 40 tackles (31 solo), six pass defenses (three interceptions) and one fumble recovery. It's unclear when Kelly will be cleared to return to on-field action, but once he progresses enough in his recovery to do so, he should garner interest from teams looking to bolster their secondary.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Kyu Blu Kelly: Moved to IR
Rotowire
The Raiders placed Kelly (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Kelly was carted off the field during last Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Broncos. The cornerback suffered a severe knee injury in the first quarter of the game and was unable to return. Darien Porter will likely finish the season at outside cornerback opposite Eric Stokes in Kelly's absence.
Kelly suffered a ruptured patella tendon during the Raiders' 24-17 loss to the Broncos on Sunday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Kelly was carted off the field and into the locker room after sustaining the injury in the first quarter of Sunday's game. Garafolo relays that there is some good news in that Kelly did not suffer any ligament damage, which opens the door for the third-year cornerback to return at some point during the 2026 campaign. Kelly will end the 2025 regular season with 40 tackles (31 solo), six pass defenses (three interceptions) and one fumble recovery across 13 games. With Kelly done for the year, rookie third-rounder Darien Porter is poised for a larger role at outside corner.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Kyu Blu Kelly: Carted off Sunday
Rotowire
Kelly (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's contest against the Broncos.
Kelly was carted off the field after suffering a knee injury in the first quarter, and he'll now be sidelined for the rest of the day. In his absence, Darien Porter and Decamerion Richardson will likely operate in more significant roles at cornerback versus Denver.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Kyu Blu Kelly: Picks off Nix twice in Week 10 loss
Rotowire
Kelly logged one tackle and two interceptions during the Raiders' 10-7 loss to the Broncos on Thursday.
Kelly recorded his first two interceptions of the season during Thursday's AFC West tilt. He picked off Bo Nix in the second and fourth quarters, but the Raiders offense wasn't able to capitalize by turning those turnovers into points. Kelly started in each of the first seven games of the regular season but has worked in a rotational role over the last two games with Darien Porter, though the former's performance Thursday could lead to more playing time over the second half of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Kyu Blu Kelly: Nine tackles as starting CB
Rotowire
Kelly recorded nine tackles (seven solo) and one pass defensed in Sunday's 20-13 win over the Patriots.
Kelly served as an every-down corner across from Eric Stokes in the season opener, and the former fell shy of only linebacker Devin White for the Raiders' team lead in total tackles Sunday. Kelly figures to continue playing ahead of fellow cornerbacks Darien Porter and Decamerion Richardson against the Chargers on Monday Night Football in Week 2.
