Ekeler aggravates neck injury

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Chargers and RB Austin Ekeler have agreed to a new 4-year deal worth $24.5 million. The contract reportedly includes $15 million guaranteed. Ekeler had been on track for restricted free agency. Instead, he looks locked in as the team's top back -- even if the Chargers add to the backfield this offseason, as we expect them to do. The terms seem low enough to make finishing this contract seem realistic. At the least, this top-7 RB across fantasy formats in 2019 looks poised for another run at RB1-level production.

Chargers HC Anthony Lynn said Friday that RB Austin Ekeler will play "a lot" vs. the Broncos this weekend and that RB Melvin Gordon will get a limited workload. The plan makes sense after Gordon held out all summer and September. Plans can change once the game starts, but we're now projecting something close to a 2-to-1 split in favor of Ekeler this week.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (groin) is active for today's game against the Ravens. He was limited in practice all week and listed as questionable, so he comes with added risk in fantasy lineups -- beyond the difficult matchup.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (groin) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens after a limited week of practice. This is a new injury for Ekeler. (He missed time late in the season with a neck injury and concussion.) If Ekeler is unable to play this weekend, the Chargers would turn back to rookie Justin Jackson as the change-of-pace back behind Melvin Gordon.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (neck) put in a full week of practice and will return for Sunday’s game against the Broncos. He figures to see a handful of touches behind Melvin Gordon and is just a DFS tournament flier.