Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (high-ankle sprain) is "hopeful" that he can return in Week 4, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. However, with a Week 5 bye, the Chargers could choose to hold him out until Week 6. He had 154 scrimmage yards and one touchdown in the season opener. Until Ekeler can return, Joshua Kelley will operate as the lead back while Isaiah Spiller and rookie Elijah Dotson also earn opportunities.
Sep 24, 2023 10:45 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) missed a second straight week of practice and has been ruled out for the second straight game in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings. Ekeler said earlier this week that he was making progress, but he'll now miss his second straight contest after injuring his ankle in the season opener. Consider him questionable to play in Week 4 at home against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders for now. Joshua Kelley will look to do more this Sunday in his second straight week as the Chargers' lead running back. He flopped last week by going for just 39 yards rushing on 13 attempts while not being involved in the passing game in the Week 2 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Vikings defense is a bit more generous, though, making Kelley worth starting as an RB2.
Sep 22, 2023 5:20 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (knee) missed another practice on Thursday. Ekeler suffered an ankle injury in the season opener and hasn't practiced since while also missing the Week 2 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans. He says he's made some progress, but unless he's able to get back on the field in some capacity on Friday, he's likely to miss a second straight game this Sunday on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. Joshua Kelley disappointed as a plug-and-play fantasy option with Ekeler out last weekend, but he'd be worth another shot in fantasy lineups in Minnesota against a porous defense if Ekeler misses another game. Check back on Friday for Ekeler's final status for Sunday's game.
Sep 21, 2023 6:20 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) gave an update on the ankle injury that he suffered in the season opener, saying it's more of a "day-to-day, week-to-week" type of situation and that he likes "the progress I've made so far." Ekeler didn't play in the Week 2 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday and also didn't practice on Wednesday. He's going to need to get back on the field in the next two days to have a realistic chance to play this Sunday in Minnesota against the Vikings as the Bolts look for their first win of the season. As of right now, Ekeler should be considered very questionable to play. If he misses another game, Joshua Kelley will get another shot as the lead back for LA after a disappointing showing as the top option in Week 2.
Sep 21, 2023 11:55 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) did not take part in Wednesday's practice. Ekeler didn't practice at all last week or play in the Week 2 loss to the Tennessee Titans, and he's not off to a great start this week. Head coach Brandon Staley said on Monday that there's "no timeline" for Ekeler's return from an ankle injury he suffered in the Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins, so fantasy managers need to be prepared to potentially be without him for a second straight game. Joshua Kelley was a popular waiver-wire pickup last week but disappointed with 13 carries for 39 yards in Sunday's loss to the Titans as LA's lead back. Kelley could easily bounce back if Ekeler sits again, though, as he'd be facing a Vikings defense that has been very generous through two games.
Sep 20, 2023 6:06 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said there's "no timeline" on running back Austin Ekeler's (ankle) return from an ankle injury after he missed practice all of last week and the team's Week 2 loss on the road to the Tennessee Titans. A report surfaced on Sunday that Ekeler will have a chance to play in Week 3 versus the Minnesota Vikings, but Staley seemed to pump the brakes on that on Monday. In any event, the 28-year-old shouldn't miss extended time even if he does miss another game this week. Ekeler is a must-start RB1 in fantasy lineups anytime he's on the field. Joshua Kelley was a popular waiver-wire pickup last week, but he failed to deliver as a plug-and-play option in Week 2, carrying the ball 13 times for 39 yards (3.00 yards per carry) after going for 91 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in Week 1.
Sep 18, 2023 7:01 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) "has a chance" to play in Week 3, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The star playmaker has already been ruled out for Week 2 versus the Titans, catapulting Joshua Kelley into the lead-back role. Ekeler, who totaled 154 scrimmage yards and one touchdown during the Chargers' season opener, would vault back to high-end RB1 status in fantasy football upon his return to the field.
Sep 17, 2023 1:19 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) won't play on Sunday against the Titans. The 28-year-old looked great in Week 1, amassing 117 yards and a touchdown while pulling in four of his five targets. The situation doesn't sound promising, considering Ekeler was downgraded long before kickoff, meaning his absence could be more than a one-time occurrence. As a result, Joshua Kelley is expected to see a substantial increase in production in Week 2. Kelley was nearly as productive as Ekeler in the regular-season opener, totaling 91 yards on the ground and scoring a touchdown of his own. He also saw plenty of work inside the Red Zone. That said, Kelley should be scooped off waivers as soon as possible, although he's likely no longer available in most leagues.
Sep 16, 2023 7:08 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) is now listed as doubtful for the team's Week 2 matchup against the Titans. The veteran back was unable to practice all week and trending toward not suiting up on Sunday afternoon. Joshua Kelley saw one target and 16 carries while Ekeler was healthy last week, so he should see plenty of opportunities this time around. Kelley is a high-end RB2 and borderline RB1 based on the volume and efficiency that he flashed last week against the Dolphins.
Sep 15, 2023 4:13 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) was not seen at practice for a third day in a row this week. Daniel Popper of The Athletic reported on Friday afternoon that the star running back was listed as DNP for the third day this week heading into Week 2. Given his experience, this doesn't automatically rule him out of their game against the Titans. This does, however, give reason for concern. If he doesn't suit up, Joshua Kelley would likely be in for a lot of opportunities after he was given 16 carries even with Ekeler healthy. Kelley may even be considered a borderline RB1 if Ekeler can't play.
Sep 15, 2023 3:40 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) is missing his second straight day of practice on Thursday. Ekeler was away from the team on Wednesday to attend the funeral of his agent, but he probably wouldn't have practiced anyway. Ekeler is shaping up as being up in the air to play in Week 2 in Tennessee against the Titans, even if he's able to return to practice in some fashion on Friday. Fantasy managers should be formulating backup plans right now in case Ekeler is limited or unable to go this Sunday. If he's inactive or limited in Week 2, Joshua Kelley, who had 16 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown in the Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins, would be a must-start as an RB2. Kelley needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues in case Ekeler's injury causes him to miss time.
Sep 14, 2023 4:09 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday in order to attend the funeral of his agent, Cameron Weiss. Head coach Brandon Staley said on Monday that Ekeler suffered an ankle injury in the Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins, but we won't know until Thursday now whether the injury is serious enough to keep him off the practice field. We'll keep a close eye on the 28-year-old's status heading into Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans on the road this Sunday. Savvy fantasy managers will want to pick up Joshua Kelley off the waiver wire this week in case Ekeler is unable to play or is limited this weekend due to his injury. Ekeler, a first-round pick in most fantasy drafts, is a must-start if he's active.
Sep 13, 2023 5:16 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler's (ankle) status for practice this week is unclear right now while dealing with an ankle injury that he suffered in the Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, according to head coach Brandon Staley. This isn't what fantasy managers that used a first-round pick on the do-it-all back want to hear heading into a Week 2 contest against the Tennessee Titans. Don't be surprised if the 28-year-old misses practice time this week, but it won't necessarily mean that he won't suit up this Sunday. We'll keep a close eye on Ekeler's participation at practice heading into the weekend. If he's out or limited in Week 2, Joshua Kelley, who had 16 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, would be a plug-and-play fantasy RB against Tennessee.
Sep 11, 2023 6:50 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler had a solid Week 1 performance against the Miami Dolphins. He ran the ball 16 times, gaining 117 yards and scoring a touchdown. He also caught four passes on five targets for 47 more yards. Ekeler broke off a huge 55-yard run that almost went all the way for a touchdown. He ended up splitting carries evenly with Joshua Kelley, who also got 16. Ekeler remains one of the best bets in PPR leagues for the running back position.
Sep 11, 2023 1:26 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is an excellent fantasy option in a Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Ekeler has overall RB2 and RB1 finishes over the past two seasons, and there's no reason to believe he can't repeat that this year. While the Chargers are saying he may not see the same volume he's seen in previous years, Ekeler has shown that he's not a volume-dependent producer. He led the league in touchdowns last season with 18, and should get off to a good start in Week 1 against a mediocre Dolphins run defense. Fire him up as an elite RB1 option.
Sep 7, 2023 2:25 PM EST
Ekeler is expected to stay with the Chargers for 2023 after they added $1.75 million in incentives for the final season of his contract, ESPN reports.
May 23, 2023 6:40 AM EST
Ekeler wasn't present Monday for the first day of Los Angeles' organized team activities, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.
May 22, 2023 1:50 PM EST
Ekeler isn't present Monday for voluntary offseason workouts, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
May 15, 2023 11:51 AM EST
Ekeler rushed 11 times for 34 yards and secured all four targets for 36 yards in the Chargers' 31-28 loss to the Broncos on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.
Jan 8, 2023 6:43 PM EST
Ekeler rushed the ball 10 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 31-10 win over the Rams. He added four receptions for 39 yards.
Jan 1, 2023 4:59 PM EST
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