Austin Ekeler Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Raiders. He put in three limited practices this week and seems to be trending toward a return after Los Angeles’ Week 5 bye. Joshua Kelley gets another crack at lead duties today.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Raiders. He got back on the practice field this week, but it looks like he'll be held out one more game, with the Chargers getting a Week 5 bye. Barring a setback, Ekeler should return for Week 6. Joshua Kelley gets another game as Los Angeles' lead back this weekend but is tough to trust as more than a RB3 after disappointing outings the last two weeks.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) remained limited in Thursday's practice. We'll see what he does on Friday and how he's listed on the final injury report for this weekend's game vs. the Raiders.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice -- his first official participation since going down in Week 1. Ekeler told NFL Network's Bridget Condon that he hasn't tried to push that injured ankle to 100% yet but if he can in practice this week then he wants to play vs. the Raiders on Sunday. "It's one of those things where you kind of progress with how fast it allows you to," Ekeler added. "You saw me back on the field today so mine's obviously in a good spot." We'll keep a close eye on his progress over the next few days. The Chargers have an upcoming Week 5 bye, but Ekeler said that won't impact whether he plays this weekend.

Chargers WR Mike Williams has been diagnosed with a torn left ACL and will miss the rest of the 2023 season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The timing of the injury at least gives Williams a good chance to be ready for the start of the 2024 campaign. He turns 29 in about a week and is officially signed with the Chargers for next season. But his contract currently carries a $32.5 million cap hit. Williams will need to restructure that deal to remain with the team. His absence for the rest of this season leaves behind big opportunity. Williams averaged 8.7 targets on a 21.3% share through three games. WR Josh Palmer is the better immediate bet for production with Williams out. But first-round rookie WR Quentin Johnston is the higher-upside longer-term bet. WR Keenan Allen, RB Austin Ekeler (once healthy), and TE Gerald Everett should also see a bit more volume without Williams.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero hears that Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is "hopeful" to return for Week 4. "But with a Week 5 bye looming, they could opt for more rest," Pelissero adds. We'll track Ekeler's progress this coming week.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Vikings. He didn’t practice all week, so it’s possible that he misses more time beyond Week 3. Joshua Kelley will again serve as the Chargers’ lead back on Sunday after playing 79% of the offensive snaps last week. Kelley is a nice RB2 play in a likely shootout.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. HC Brandon Staley said earlier this week that there's no timetable for Ekeler's return. Fantasy owners should not be banking on Ekeler playing in this weekend's game vs. the Vikings. That'd again leave Joshua Kelley as the Chargers' lead back.

On Monday, Chargers HC Brandon Staley shared that there's "no timeline" for RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) to return to play, per The Athletic's Daniel Popper. It's a vague message, though it sounds like fantasy managers shouldn't expect to see Ekeler suit up in Week 3 vs. the Vikings. Backup Joshua Kelley will presumably remain the lead back in Ekeler's absence. We'll keep tabs on this situation as more information becomes available.

Chargers RB Joshua Kelley recorded 13 attempts for 39 rushing yards in Week 2 vs. the Titans. Fantasy managers hoping to stream the young back as a replacement for Austin Ekeler (ankle) are likely disappointed by the results of Sunday’s OT loss. Kelley’s heavy involvement in Week 1 still makes him worthy of rostering in deeper leagues, but those in 10 or 12-team leagues can justify throwing him back into the waiver pool. Keep track of the injury reports this week to see if Ekeler will return for next Sunday’s contest vs. the Vikings.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweets that Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) "has a chance" to return for Week 3. We've heard whispers that Ekeler might be dealing with a high-ankle sprain, so it's good to hear that Week 3 is a possibility. We'll track his progress this coming week. Joshua Kelley steps in as Los Angeles' lead back vs. the Titans today.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game vs. the Titans. He didn't practice all week and certainly isn't a lock to make it back for Week 3. Joshua Kelley will operate as the Bolts' lead back this weekend and is a solid RB2 play, despite the negative matchup.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Titans. The team evidently doesn't want to rule Ekeler out just yet, but he didn't practice all week and is obviously a long shot. Ekeler's absence will leave Joshua Kelley as Los Angeles' lead back, with RBs Isaiah Spiller and Elijah Dotson behind him. This matchup is brutal against a Tennessee defense that ranked third in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs last year and held Saints RB Jamaal Williams to 52 scoreless yards in the 2023 opener. But Kelley is a strong bet for 15+ touches on an offense with a 24.0-point implied total, making him a solid RB2 play.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) missed practice again on Thursday. He's no longer on the injury report with "personal," so we know it's the ankle keeping him out. Ekeler is looking legitimately iffy for Sunday's game vs. the Titans. We'll see if he practices on Friday and how he's listed on the final injury report.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler did not practice on Wednesday. He's listed on the injury report with the ankle and "NIR - Personal." Ekeler was away from the team to attend the funeral of his agent, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, so we don't know if that ankle would have allowed him to practice. We'll get another update on Ekeler's status tomorrow, but it's certainly possible that he misses Sunday's game vs. the Titans. That'd leave Joshua Kelley as the Chargers' lead back.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler came away from Sunday's loss to the Dolphins with an ankle injury, NFL Network's Bridget Condon reports. HC Brandon Staley said Monday the RB's status is uncertain for Wednesday's practice. We'll obviously be tracking the situation closely throughout the week. RB Joshua Kelley ran even with Ekeler in carries against Miami. He'd likely land inside our top 24 if Ekeler can't go, though the Tennessee matchup was negative for rushers all last season and in Week 1 of this year. (Saints RB Jamaal Williams gained just 45 yards on 18 carries.) The team would also likely activate RB Isaiah Spiller, a healthy scratch in the opener.

Fantasy owners have no reason to complain about Austin Ekeler’s Week 1. He posted 26.4 PPR points on 20 touches, powered by one score and a sweet 55-yard run up the gut. He could have had even more, though. Justin Herbert scored on the ground from one yard out. Ekeler also watched Josh Kelley score from 2 yards out and handle 16 carries. New OC Kellen Moore seems to favor a rotation, but we’re far from concerned about Ekeler’s season-long outlook. He remains a high-end RB1.

Chargers RB Isaiah Spiller is a healthy scratch for today's opener vs. the Dolphins. It's confirmation that Joshua Kelley is the No. 2 RB behind Austin Ekeler.