Chargers RB Austin Ekeler ran for 122 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday's win over the Rams. Ekeler carried just 10 times for the game, adding 4 catches for 39 yards. The team also mixed in RB Joshua Kelley for 9 carries and RB Larry Rountree for 10. Rountree's use came in the 2nd half, perhaps motivated by a knee issue that limited Ekeler to start the practice week. The Chargers finish the regular season at Denver. Ekeler went for limited yardage -- 83 total on 14 carries and 16 targets -- in the 1st meeting. That came back in Week 6, though, against a much different Broncos defense.
The Chargers announced Wednesday that they have signed RB Sony Michel. Cut this week by the Dolphins, Michel now has a chance to quickly work his way to the #2 role in a Chargers backfield that has looked bad behind Austin Ekeler. The Chargers released RB Larry Rountree in a corresponding move, leaving Michel, Joshua Kelley and Isaiah Spiller behind Ekeler.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that free-agent RB Sony Michel is visiting the Chargers today. That points to L.A. being unsatisfied with the RB depth chart behind Austin Ekeler. Rookie Isaiah Spiller has so far failed to separate from Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree, neither of whom made significant impacts in last year's backfield. We'll watch for what happens here, but take it as another signal to not bother with Spiller in current redraft.
The Athletic's Daniel Popper believes RB Joshua Kelley has "taken the lead" in the battle for the #2 RB job after the preseason opener. Kelley started that game, finishing with 3 carries for 16 yards and 3 catches for 28 yards. "Kelley looks like a really confident player," Popper writes. "He was decisive and explosive in the run game, hitting holes with a north-south mentality." RB Larry Rountree rotated in with the starters, while RB Isaiah Spiller didn't hit the field until the 2nd quarter. We're still expecting Spiller to eventually emerge as the #2 RB, but that might not happen before the start of the season.
Chargers RB Isaiah Spiller has been the only RB other than Austin Ekeler taking 1st-team reps, according to NFL Network's Taylor Bisciotti. That's a pretty good signal that he's the favorite to emerge as the Chargers' #2 RB. And it doesn't hurt that former #2 Justin Jackson signed with the Lions on Monday. Spiller looks like a solid handcuff-level pick.
Update: Bisciotti later tweeted that RBs Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree also got 1st-team reps in Monday's practice. "They’re splitting reps and it’s an open competition," Bisciotta tweeted. "RB2 is up for grabs." We still consider Spiller the favorite to win this job.
Daniel Popper of The Athletic says the Chargers have an "open competition" for the 2nd RB spot among Isaiah Spiller, Larry Rountree and Joshua Kelley. "We're not going to know about these backs until they get tackled," HC Brandon Staley said Friday. Fantasy football drafters are treating Spiller as the clear #2 back. We're betting on the rookie seizing that role, too, but it's worth noting the team isn't handing it to him just yet.
ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry considers Chargers RB Joshua Kelley to be on the roster bubble. He enters training camp as the 3rd or 4th RB behind Austin Ekeler, Isaiah Spiller and likely Larry Rountree. Kelley owns only 456 rushing yards through 2 seasons (3.2 per attempt). Even in deep formats, the 24-year-old isn’t a recommend late-round target.
The Chargers added Texas A&M RB Isaiah Spiller in the 4th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He surprisingly ends up as the 9th RB off the board – likely because of his disappointing Combine. The 6’0, 217-pounder ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash and also bombed the vertical and broad jumps. Spiller led the Aggies backfield in all 3 years on campus, though, racking up 2,993 rushing yards, 25 rushing TDs and 74 catches. You can see Spiller’s underwhelming speed on tape, but he’s a smart back with good vision and contact balance. Spiller has a chance to immediately win the ‘big-back’ role in Los Angeles behind Austin Ekeler. Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree are underwhelming competitors.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game vs. the Chiefs. He got in limited practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. HC Brandon Staley labeled him a game-time decision, which is a little surprising after Staley expressed little concern about Ekeler's status earlier in the week. We'll find out whether he's playing around 7 pm ET tomorrow. If not, we'd likely see a 3-man committee with RBs Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree. Jackson would be the best fantasy bet -- but just a RB3 or flex play.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (hip) is active for today’s game against the Patriots. He was reportedly sore after Wednesday’s practice, so HC Brandon Staley opted to give him the next 2 days off. It adds some risk to Ekeler’s Week 8 profile. But if you waited on him, get him in your starting lineup. It’s worth noting that RB Joshua Kelley is a healthy scratch, leaving just RBs Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree behind Ekeler. That suggests the Chargers aren’t very concerned about Ekeler.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (hip) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game against the Patriots. He was added to the injury report on Thursday and didn’t practice on Thursday or Friday. Not a good look. We’ll continue to look for updates on Ekeler’s status. If he misses Sunday’s game, the Chargers would likely deploy a 3-back committee with Joshua Kelley, Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler was added to Thursday's injury report with a hip and did not practice. His availability for this weekend's game against the Patriots is suddenly in question. We'll look for further updates on Ekeler's status and see if he gets back on the practice field tomorrow. If he misses Sunday's game, the Chargers would likely deploy a committee backfield with Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) is active for today’s game vs. Washington. He only got in a limited practice on Friday this week, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said this morning that Ekeler will be a “full go” today. We still have some added risk baked into his Week 1 projection -- but Ekeler would be tough to keep out of fantasy lineups. RB Joshua Kelley is a healthy scratch for Los Angeles, another sign that Ekeler is good to go. Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree will play behind Ekeler today.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) did not practice again on Thursday. Beat writers noted that he was doing more with trainers than he did on Wednesday, but a couple of missed practices to start the week has him looking iffy for this weekend's game vs. Washington. We'll get another update on his status tomorrow. RB Justin Jackson would lead a committee backfield alongside Joshua Kelley and potentially Larry Rountree if Ekeler is out on Sunday.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler missed Wednesday's practice with a hamstring injury. It's the 1st we've heard of it. Ekeler was at least able to work off to the side with trainers -- but his status for Sunday's opener vs. Washington is now up in the air. Check back tomorrow for another update. It's unclear how L.A. would divvy backfield work between Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree if Ekeler is out.
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