Spiller goes to Chargers

The Chargers added Texas A&M RB Isaiah Spiller in the 4th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He surprisingly ends up as the 9th RB off the board – likely because of his disappointing Combine. The 6’0, 217-pounder ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash and also bombed the vertical and broad jumps. Spiller led the Aggies backfield in all 3 years on campus, though, racking up 2,993 rushing yards, 25 rushing TDs and 74 catches. You can see Spiller’s underwhelming speed on tape, but he’s a smart back with good vision and contact balance. Spiller has a chance to immediately win the ‘big-back’ role in Los Angeles behind Austin Ekeler. Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree are underwhelming competitors.

Chargers RB Isaiah Spiller is a healthy scratch for today's opener vs. the Raiders. It'll be RBs Sony Michel and Joshua Kelley behind Austin Ekeler.

Chargers RB Isaiah Spiller (ankle) returned to practice on Tuesday. He ended up missing 9 days with the ankle injury. Spiller was still sitting 4th on the depth chart when he went down, so he's unlikely to be an early-season factor. But the rookie still has a shot to eventually emerge as the Chargers' #2 RB.

Chargers HC Brandon Staley labeled RB Isaiah Spiller "week to week" with the ankle injury he suffered in Saturday's preseason game. Spiller's availability for Week 1 is uncertain, Staley added. That kills any chance the rookie had of winning the #2 RB job to open the season. RB Joshua Kelley is the favorite for that spot, although he's still an underwhelming fantasy pick.

Chargers RB Isaiah Spiller left Saturday night's preseason game against the Cowboys with an ankle injury and was deemed questionable to return. That designation might indicate it's not serious, but we'll watch for a specific diagnosis. Spiller has been fighting Joshua Kelly and Larry Rountree for the #2 job behind Austin Ekeler.

Chargers RB Isaiah Spiller has been the only RB other than Austin Ekeler taking 1st-team reps, according to NFL Network's Taylor Bisciotti. That's a pretty good signal that he's the favorite to emerge as the Chargers' #2 RB. And it doesn't hurt that former #2 Justin Jackson signed with the Lions on Monday. Spiller looks like a solid handcuff-level pick.

Update: Bisciotti later tweeted that RBs Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree also got 1st-team reps in Monday's practice. "They’re splitting reps and it’s an open competition," Bisciotta tweeted. "RB2 is up for grabs." We still consider Spiller the favorite to win this job.