Chargers RB Joshua Kelley carried just 11 times for 12 yards in Sunday's win over the Vikings. The team went extremely pass-heavy, dropping QB Justin Herbert back on 75.8% of offensive snaps. Despite leading the backfield in routes (13), Kelley tied for just sixth on the team in that category. Kelley tripled the snap count of No. 2 RB Isaiah Spiller, with Austin Ekeler out. But he spent much of his day blocking. Even if Ekeler remains out in Week 4, Kelley will be tough to like against the Raiders after consecutive duds. This week should have been at least a decent spot for him, against a Minnesota team that D'Andre Swift and the Eagles brutalized in Week 2.

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.

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.

Chargers beat writer Daniel Popper believes RB Joshua Kelley will see “most of the carries” behind Austin Ekeler. “Kelley had a great camp and preseason,” Popper writes. “His natural talent has started to shine with [OC Kellen] Moore’s downhill run philosophy and scheme. Kelley has earned the opportunity behind Ekeler to start the season. But that could change as the season progresses.” The Chargers passed on adding a veteran back this offseason, signaling faith in Kelley and Isaiah Spiller. While Kelley looks like the primary RB2 now, this situation could be fluid all year.

Chargers RBs Isaiah Spiller and Joshua Kelley "have been splitting reps pretty evenly behind Austin Ekeler in camp," according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper. Kelley played ahead of Spiller all last season, but it sounds like the title of Ekeler handcuff is still up for grabs heading into 2023. We'll track this battle over the next few weeks.

The Chargers “remain high” on RB Isaiah Spiller, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. It’s not shocking since Spiller arrived in Round 4 just one year ago. He battled an August ankle injury and never locked down the RB2 job behind Austin Ekeler. Across six games, Spiller posted only 41 yards on 18 carries. We’ll see if the Chargers add a veteran RB over the coming weeks. Even if they pass, Spiller must beat out Josh Kelley for the backup job.

A contract adjustment seems to be ending the offseason tumult for Chargers RB Austin Ekeler. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the team is adding "close to $2 million in incentives" to the final year of Ekeler's contract and that the RB is "staying." Ekeler, of course, requested a trade earlier this offseason over discontent with his contract. He's still set to hit free agency next March. But there should now be no question about Ekeler's 2023 status. His ADP slipped some through the dispute, but Ekeler never got consistently outside of Round 1 in best ball drafting. He sits well within that range in our 2023 fantasy football rankings.

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.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler scored both of his team's TDs in Monday night's win over the Colts. He logged his 2nd most carries of the season (18) for 67 yards (3.7 per rush), adding 4 catches for 12 yards among 4 targets. RB Joshua Kelley chimed in 9 carries for 33 yards and a 9-yard reception. Ekeler has now drawn double-digit carries in 4 straight games, the 1st stretch this year that has seen him do so. A Week 17 meeting with the Rams holds a defense that has played the run tougher than the pass, but that has been true of the past 3 opponents as well. Ekeler, of course, shouldn't be a candidate to sit out of your Week 17 fantasy football lineups.