The Colts have signed RB Branden Oliver. It was a rough preseason opener for Indy's backfield, which saw Marlon Mack exit with a hamstring injury and Nyheim Hines struggle. Oliver is still a long shot for 2018 fantasy value but is at least worth keeping an eye on. He caught 36 balls as a rookie back in 2014 before injuries got in the way the past 3 years.

Chargers RB Branden Oliver (hamstring) is out for Sunday's game against the Giants. That leaves Austin Ekeler as the #2 RB -- but bet on RB Melvin Gordon returning to a workhorse role this weekend.

Chargers RB Branden Oliver has been on the field for OTAs this week -- about 9 months after tearing his Achilles in a preseason game. "I feel great right now," he said. "I’m taking nothing for granted. I’m coming out and taking it one day at a time." QB Philip Rivers has liked what he's seen. "He looks good. He looks explosive. I know it’s early, but I think he really is a great complement to Melvin (Gordon)," Rivers said. Gordon is locked in as the Chargers' feature back. But Oliver has a good shot to capture the #2 spot on the depth chart. His competition is underwhelming: Kenneth Farrow, Andre Williams and Kenjon Barner.

Chargers RB Branden Oliver suffered a torn Achilles in Sunday's preseason game. He's done for the season. Oliver was 3rd on San Diego's RB depth chart and off the fantasy radar. His absence might mean a few more touches for RBs Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead, but it's not enough to move either guy up the RB rankings.

Chargers RB Branden Olive has turf toe, according to insider Michael Gehlken.  He was in a boot and on crutches on Monday.  "We'll see about this one," Oliver said when asked if he'll be ready for next week's game against the Bears.  Oliver seems doubtful for that one.  Donald Brown will serve as San Diego's #3 RB if Oliver can't go.

Chargers RB Melvin Gordon (ankle) is surprisingly active for today’s game against the Raiders. Reports this morning had San Diego likely to hold him out, but he must have looked and felt better than expected in warmups. Insider Michael Gehlken hears, though, that RB Branden Oliver is still expected to have a “larger role.” Danny Woodhead is the only safe play in San Diego’s backfield.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that the Chargers are likely to hold RB Melvin Gordon out of today's game against the Raiders.  The rookie's ankle injury isn't serious, per Rapoport, so it sounds like San Diego is just playing it safe in a game they can likely win without him.  Gordon's absence would leave the Chargers with RBs Danny Woodhead and Branden Oliver.  Woodhead will likely see a slight bump in touches, but Oliver might lead the backfield in carries.  He toted it 7 times for 23 yards last week, adding 40 more yards on 4 catches.

ESPN's Adam Schefter calls Chargers RB Melvin Gordon (ankle) a "true game-time decision" for this afternoon's tilt with the Raiders.  Gordon put in limited practices on Thursday and Friday, which gives him a good shot to play.  But we won't find out for sure until 3 pm ET.  And he'll obviously be nowhere near 100%.  Gordon is a shaky RB3 or flex for Week 7.  RB Branden Oliver would play a bigger role if Gordon can't go today.

Chargers HC Mike McCoy told ESPN.com Tuesday that his team doesn't necessarily need another RB to win after letting Ryan Mathews walk in free agency. “Ryan was very unique,” McCoy said. “He’s different than what we have now. But as that physical guy, yes, you can say Branden is that physical guy we have now. We can win with the three guys we have now. So, they’re all going to play in their own way, and we’ll see what happens through the draft and the rest of free agency with what’s available.” No coach is going to say that his backfield is screwed unless it adds a hoss. But it's at least noteworthy here that McCoy touted Oliver's ability to lead the backfield over that of Donald Brown, whom the team signed just a year ago. We'll see what else the Chargers do with their backs this offseason.

Chargers RB Ryan Mathews (ankle) is out for Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. That means another game as the lead back for Branden Oliver, who’s totaled 32 touches over the past 2 games. Another 15+ touches will make Oliver a solid RB2 vs. a Kansas City defense that’s allowed 4.8 yards per carry over the past 5 weeks.

Chargers RB Ryan Mathews (ankle) remained sidelined on Tuesday.  HC Mike McCoy said earlier in the week that Mathews has a shot to return for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, but we aren't counting on it at this point.  Look for Branden Oliver to serve as San Diego's lead back again.

Chargers RB Ryan Mathews (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday night’s game against the 49ers. That again leaves the backfield to Branden Oliver and Donald Brown. They essentially split snaps last week, with Oliver out-touching Brown 16 to 9. Oliver is the better Week 16 fantasy bet, but he’s just a RB3 or flex in a tough matchup.

Chargers RB Ryan Mathews (ankle) missed his 3rd straight practice on Thursday.  He looks like a long shot to play against the 49ers on Saturday night.  We just removed him from our Week 16 RB Rankings and bumped Branden Oliver and Donald Brown up.

Chargers RB Ryan Mathews (leg) is inactive for today’s game against the Broncos. Branden Oliver and Donald Brown will share backfield duties, but neither is a strong fantasy play vs. Denver’s 5th-ranked RB defense.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that Chargers RB Ryan Mathews (ankle) is "highly doubtful" to play against the Broncos later today.  That's the vibe we got all week, when Mathews was unable to practice at all.  It leaves San Diego with Branden Oliver and Donald Brown in the backfield.  Oliver is the better fantasy play, but the situation is best avoided.  Denver is allowing just 3.3 yards per carry to RBs this season, and they held Chargers RBs (Oliver and Ronnie Brown) to 4.1 yards per carry back in Week 8.