Kalen Ballage Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Steelers RB Anthony McFarland missed the team's preseason finale with an unspecified injury. Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports that whatever the issue is, "it could land him on IR" this week. That would knock McFarland out for at least 3 games. We'll keep an eye on this situation. Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage also remain on the depth chart behind Najee Harris.

Update: McFarland has been placed on IR with his undisclosed injury, so he'll miss at least the first 3 games of the season.

Mark Kaboly of The Athletic writes that RB Anthony McFarland has “shown the most promise” among Pittsburgh backups. Kaboly notes McFarland’s scheme fit while calling his rushing ability “notably better than a year ago.” While the 2020 4th-round pick goes just 5’8, he's well built at 208 pounds. Kaboly also called Kalen Ballage a “pleasant surprise” but noted his similarities — at least stylistically — to Najee Harris. A Harris injury would almost certainly lead to a timeshare.

The Steelers have signed RB Kalen Ballage to a 1-year deal, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Ballage lands in a backfield with plenty of opportunity currently available. We'll see, though, whether Pittsburgh adds a RB in the draft. We'd bet on the Steelers doing so, with the big question being how early. Ballage saw surprising touch volume with the Chargers last season, after injuries knocked out Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. But he averaged only 3.3 yards per rush and 5.0 per reception. If you want to take a shot on Ballage at the very end of best-ball drafts, there's little risk. But we'd hope to see more touches go to Anthony McFarland -- who sure looks like he has a higher ceiling -- than Ballage. Even Benny Snell would probably still be a better bet for carries on the current depth chart.

The Chargers on Wednesday designated RB Justin Jackson (knee) to return from IR. That gives the team 3 weeks to decide whether to return him to the active roster. We'll see how soon Jackson can return to action. Kalen Ballage returned to operate as L.A.'s #2 RB last week behind Austin Ekeler. We'd bet on Jackson jumping back in front of Ballage when he's ready. Ekeler should be the only Chargers RB in fantasy lineups at this point, though, outside of deep leagues.

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.

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.

Chargers RB Justin Jackson (knee) has been placed on IR. He'll miss Sunday's game vs. the Dolphins and at least 2 more after that. Los Angeles will move forward with RBs Kalen Ballage, Joshua Kelley and Troymaine Pope, who's questionable for Week 10 with his concussion.

Chargers RB Justin Jackson (knee) is out for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. RB Troymaine Pope (concussion) is listed as questionable. His absence would leave Los Angeles’ backfield down to Kalen Ballage and Joshua Kelley. After Jackson exited early in last week’s game, Ballage totaled 15 carries and 3 targets to Kelley’s 9 carries and 5 targets.

Chargers RB Justin Jackson (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. His injury isn't believed to be serious, but his availability for this weekend's game against the Dolphins is uncertain. RB Troymaine Pope (concussion) was a full-go on Wednesday and should be back this weekend alongside RBs Joshua Kelley and Kalen Ballage.

It doesn't sound like Chargers RB Justin Jackson should miss further time with the knee injury that knocked him out early in Week 9. HC Anthony Lynn said at his Monday press conference that Jackson might have been able to return against the Raiders with a knee brace on had he been needed. We'll see about Jackson's participation this week, but it sounds like he at least has a shot to play against the Dolphins.

Chargers RB Justin Jackson suffered a knee injury early in Sunday's game against the Raiders. He's officially questionable to return. Jackson's absence leaves L.A. with RBs Joshua Kelley and Kalen Ballage.

The Jets have placed RB Le'Veon Bell on IR with his hamstring injury. That means he'll miss at least 3 games, but it doesn't sound like they expect Bell to be out beyond that span. The Jets also added RB Kalen Ballage to the active roster Tuesday. Ballage's wretched 2019 -- 1.8 yards per carry and 4.5 yards per catch -- showed us he doesn't have much to offer. And he should sit behind Frank Gore and Josh Adams on the depth chart. La'Mical Perine is also in the mix but is coming off a late-August ankle sprain. This is a situation to avoid in a lackluster offense.

The Dolphins have placed RB Kalen Ballage (leg) on IR and signed RB Zach Zenner. It ends a laughably bad season for Ballage, who finishes with 1.8 yards per carry and 4.5 yards per catch. Zenner is a plus athlete but has averaged just 3.9 yards per carry over 5 NFL seasons. He joins Patrick Laird and Myles Gaskin in Miami's backfield. Avoid the situation in Week 14's matchup vs. the Jets' 10th-ranked RB defense.

Dolphins RB Kalen Ballage suffered a leg injury in the 1st half of Sunday's game against the Eagles and is officially questionable to return. His absence leaves Miami with RBs Patrick Laird and Myles Gaskins.

Update: Ballage has been ruled out.