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.

RBs Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree all made the Chargers' 53-man roster behind RB Austin Ekeler. It's still unclear how snaps and touches will be divvied between those 3. Jackson was reportedly in the lead for the #2 RB job before hurting his groin in the preseason opener. It'll be a situation to monitor in Week 1.

CBS' Jonathan Jones came away from Chargers camp believing Justin Jackson has a "stranglehold" on the #2 RB job. That jibes with insider Gilbert Manzano's take that a healthy Jackson should win the #2 job. Durability has been an issue for Jackson, but he's been efficient when on the field and easily out-played RB Joshua Kelley last year. We'll continue to monitor this situation -- and whether any Chargers RB behind Austin Ekeler will be a fantasy factor.

The Chargers placed RB Justin Jackson on the reserve/COVID-19 list. When activated, he’ll compete with Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree to be a complimentary back alongside Austin Ekeler.

Update: Jackson returned to practice on July 29.

The Chargers have named Brandon Staley their new HC. The 38-year-old has been a fast riser, going from a LBs coach in Chicago and Denver to Rams defensive coordinator to Chargers HC in just 5 years. Staley's 2020 Rams defense was better than Wade Phillips' 2019 unit in points allowed, total yards allowed, yards per play allowed and Football Outsiders' DVOA. This at least looks like a good hire for the Chargers defense. We'll see who joins Staley to run the offense.

The Chargers have fired HC Anthony Lynn. He cost his team multiple chances to win this season with poor in-game management. Lynn finishes his 4-year run with the Chargers with a 33-31 record but went just 12-20 over the past 2 seasons. Whoever takes over this team will be working with a strong core in QB Justin Herbert, RB Austin Ekeler and WR Keenan Allen -- plus a talented defense.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler sustained a concussion near the end of the 1st half of Sunday's game against the Chiefs. This shouldn't impact Ekeler's offseason, but it's worth filing away in case he suffers another head injury.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (quad) is active for tonight's game against the Raiders. Unlike WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, we never heard any real concern about Ekeler's status for this one. He's safe to get into fantasy lineups.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Chargers are "concerned" WR Keenan Allen (hamstring) won't be able to play vs. the Raiders tonight. Schefter adds that Allen is "likely to be limited" if he does suit up. We'll get the Chargers' inactives around 7 pm ET tonight. Allen will obviously come with a lower ceiling and floor if he ends up playing. WRs Tyron Johnson and Jalen Guyton figure to get more playing time with Allen banged up and Mike Williams not expected to play. TE Hunter Henry and RB Austin Ekeler should also get target boosts. Downgrade QB Justin Herbert with these WR injuries.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Chargers WRs Keenan Allen (hamstring) and Mike Williams (back) are game-time decisions for tonight's meeting with the Raiders. "Both receivers were sore Sunday and the short week doesn’t help," Pelissero adds. We'll get Chargers inactives around 7 pm ET. We'd try to avoid Williams at less than 100%. Allen will obviously carry more risk if active but would still be tough to bench. Tyron Johnson and Jalen Guyton are the healthy WRs behind Allen and Williams. RB Austin Ekeler and TE Hunter Henry could also get target bumps tonight.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (quad) is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game vs. the Raiders. We've heard nothing to suggest that Ekeler is in any danger of missing this one, but check back around 7 pm ET tomorrow to make sure he's active.

The Chargers estimated multiple key starters as missing practice on their Monday injury report, ahead of Thursday night's game against the Raiders. WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams look like the 2 biggest to watch. Williams made it through just 2 snaps in Sunday's win over the Falcons before succumbing to a back injury. He looks unlikely to play Week 15. Allen left late in that contest with what has been deemed hamstring "soreness," according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper. We'll see about Allen's progress over the next couple of days. The Chargers also listed Austin Ekeler (quad) and Hunter Henry (hip) as non-participants on Monday's practice estimate. We'll certainly keep an eye on them as well, but both saw their usual playing time vs. Atlanta. It doesn't seem like there's real concern for either.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) is active for today’s game against the Bills. RB Kalen Ballage (ankle, calf) is inactive, so it’ll be Ekeler, Joshua Kelley and Troymaine Pope in the backfield. We’ll see just how much Ekeler plays in his 1st action since Week 4, but we’d lean toward getting him back into fantasy lineups. There’s big upside here in a likely shootout vs. the Bills’ 22nd-ranked RB defense.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) is expected to get "significant carries" against the Bills today. We'll see exactly how much action he gets on the ground -- but Ekeler should also be busy in the passing game. He has RB1 upside today.

Chargers RB Kalen Ballage (calf, ankle) is not expected to play Sunday at Buffalo, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Ballage is officially questionable, so we'll confirm his status when the inactives come out. His absence would leave the backfield to a returning Austin Ekeler, with Troymaine Pope and Joshua Kelley behind him.

The Chargers have placed RB Austin Ekeler on the active roster. It's an indication -- although not a guarantee -- that he'll return for Sunday's game against the Bills. We'll find out for sure when inactives are announced at 11:30 am ET tomorrow. If he plays, Ekeler will carry elevated risk in his 1st action since Week 4. But he'll also boast RB1 upside in this explosive, Herbert-led offense.

Chargers RB Kalen Ballage (ankle, calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills after a limited week of practice. RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring), meanwhile, has a "chance" to return for that one, HC Anthony Lynn said Friday. We'll have to keep a close eye on this backfield leading up to Sunday's game. It's a 1 pm ET start, so we'll get the inactives by 11:30 am ET. Ekeler will be worth getting right back into fantasy lineups if he plays. If Ekeler is out and Ballage suits up, the latter will be a volume-based fantasy starter. The Bills rank 22nd in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.

The Chargers are set to activate RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) from IR, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Ekeler will return to practice this week, although it's still uncertain if he'll play against the Bills on Sunday. We'll monitor his progress. Ekeler should quickly re-emerge as a RB1 -- especially in PPR -- in the Justin Herbert-led Chargers offense.