Austin Ekeler Injury News & Updates

The Commanders officially placed Ekeler (Achilles) on injured reserve Monday.

Ekeler went down while running a route in the flat in the fourth quarter of last Thursday's defeat at Green Bay and quickly was ruled out with an Achilles injury. After undergoing the necessary tests, a torn Achilles was confirmed, thereby wiping out the rest of his 2025 campaign. Rookie seventh-rounder Jacory Croskey-Merritt is expected to take on a good portion of the early-down work out of the Commanders backfield moving forward, but Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez also are on hand for any RB reps that linger.

Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles during Thursday's 27-18 loss to the Packers, an MRI confirmed Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Ekeler went down with a non-contact right Achilles injury late in the fourth quarter and was carted to the locker room. His 2025 season is over after 14 carries for 43 yards and five receptions for 38 yards. The 30-year-old running back is expected to be placed on injured reserve at some point in the next week. The Commanders will move forward with Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez in the backfield. Ekeler will be an unrestricted free agent in March.

Ekeler is set to undergo an MRI on Friday, but the Commanders believe that he suffered a torn Achilles, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ekeler suffered a non-contact Achilles injury late in the fourth quarter of Thursday's loss to the Packers. If Friday's tests confirm the team's fears, Ekeler will be sidelined for the rest of the season. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt will likely see an increased workload, with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez vying for a depth role.

Ekeler will not return to Thursday's game against the Packers due to an Achilles injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Ekeler suffered the injury late in the third quarter on a non-contact play. He was ruled out quickly after being spotted on a cart headed to the locker room. The severity of the injury is not immediately clear, but Ekeler is likely to miss additional time.

Ekeler suffered a lower-body injury in the fourth quarter of Thursday's game against the Packers, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Ekeler suffered a non-contact injury late in the fourth quarter and seemed to be favoring his ankle or foot. He was carted to the locker room shortly after being assisted off the field. The exact nature of the injury is unclear, though Ekeler will presumably undergo tests with details emerging late Thursday or Friday.

Ekeler (shoulder) does not carry an injury designation for Thursday's contest against the Packers.

Ekeler was listed as a limited practice participant on all three of Washington's injury reports Week 2, but it appears the veteran running back has simply been having his reps managed with a short week of rest before Thursday Night Football. He rushed six times for 26 yards and caught all three of his targets for 31 yards during the Commanders' 21-6 win over the Giants in Week 1 and looks primed to again contribute primarily on passing downs versus Green Bay, while rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt and quarterback Jayden Daniels headline Washington's rushing attack.

Ekeler (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's estimated practice report.

Ekeler has been gauged as a limited participant on both of Washington's first two Week 2 reports, but at this stage, head coach Dan Quinn hasn't suggested that the veteran running back is in jeopardy of sitting out Thursday's game against the Packers. Assuming he's available for the primetime matchup, Ekeler should serve as the Commanders' top back on passing downs while also complementing rookie seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt and quarterback Jayden Daniels in the ground attack.

Ekeler (shoulder) was listed as limited on Monday's practice estimate.

The Commanders held a walk-through Monday on the heels of Sunday's 21-6 win over the Giants. In that contest, Ekeler logged 33 of a possible 70 snaps on offense, while carrying six times for 26 yards and catching all three of his targets for 31 yards. Now that he's managing a shoulder issue, however, Ekeler's status should be tracked ahead of Thursday night's game against the Packers. If available, Ekeler would be in line to continue to share backfield work with Jacory Croskey-Merritt (10 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown Sunday) and Jeremy McNichols (four carries for 25 yards). Of the the trio, Ekeler was the only one to record a catch in Week 1.

Ekeler rushed six times for 26 yards and caught all three of his targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 21-6 win over the Giants.

Ekeler finished third on the team in rushing yards and third in receiving yards, working as a secondary option in the offense out of the backfield. Rookie seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the rushing attack with 10 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown while Jeremy McNichols mixed in for 25 yards on four carries, but neither of those running backs had a catch Sunday. Ekeler's likely to play primarily in passing situations, and that role could yield greater dividends in games that require Washington to play catch-up, which may be the case on the road in Week 2 against the Packers on Thursday.

Ekeler won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Baltimore, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Ekeler and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt are the two running backs on Washington's list of players that won't participate. It's a sign they'll share work come Week 1 against the Giants, although there's also talk of Chris Rodriguez having a role, which might include short-yardage carries. The Commanders traded Brian Robinson to San Francisco for a sixth-round pick Friday, showing confidence in some combination of Ekeler, Croskey-Merritt, Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols to form a committee. Ekeler's receiving skills make his role the most secure, although he's on the downside of his career and has fumbled 18 times (including playoffs) in 63 games over the past four season.

The Commanders likely will trade or release Brian Robinson, leaving Ekeler to split backfield work with some combination of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the New York Times.

The decision to move on from Robinson hints at confidence in Washington's backfield alternatives, although Robinson's non-guaranteed $3.4 million salary is also a factor. It remains to be seen if Ekeler will capture some of the work that went to Robinson last season, as there's been talk of Croskey-Merritt potentially getting a lot of carries and Rodriguez taking short-yardage work. Ekeler averaged 4.8 yards on 77 carries and 10.5 yards on 35 catches in the regular season last year, but he missed five games with injuries and fumbled three times (later fumbling a fourth time during the NFC Championship Game).

Ekeler and Deebo Samuel have been returning kickoffs in practice, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

The new touchback rules last season led to 32.8 percent of kicks being returned, up from 21.8 percent the year before. A second increase is coming -- potentially a much bigger one -- after another rule change this offseason to move touchbacks out to the 35-yard line. Last year, Ekeler handled 19 of Washington's 37 kick returns, averaging 31.3 yards to finish with the third most kick return yardage in the league (594). It's a nice little boost in leagues that count those yards, but in most formats the increased injury risk probably isn't worth a six-point spike every once in a great while, especially if return work is also costing the player a few snaps on offense. That'll likely be Ekeler's reality this season, although he's already off the field plenty in his committee role alongside Brian Robinson in Washington's backfield. Meanwhile, reports from the first week of Washington training camp mention rookie RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt making his own bid for a role.

Ekeler finished the 2024 regular season with 77 carries for 367 yards and four touchdowns and 35 catches for 366 yards in 12 games, adding 34 touches for 173 yards in three playoff appearances.

Ekeler mostly played well in the first season of a two-year contract, but he suffered a pair of concussions along the way and then lost a fumble in the NFC Championship Game. His future in Washington is uncertain, as the team can add $3.46 million in cap space by releasing Ekeler this offseason. Regardless of how things play out with the Commanders, his days as a top fantasy asset appear numbered, with Ekeler now trying to continue his career as a backup / passing-down specialist. He'll turn 30 in May.

Ekeler took eight carries for 27 yards and caught three of four targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 23-20 win at Tampa Bay.

Ekeler's 11 touches and 47 percent snap share put him slightly behind Brian Robinson, who had 10 carries for 16 yards and four catches for 22 yards (five targets) while playing 53 percent of snaps. Neither RB found much room against a tough Tampa Bay run defense, and they'll now face another one of the NFC's top run-stuffing teams -- at least on paper -- when they head to Detroit in the divisional round. The Lions probably aren't as difficult to run on as many statistics suggest, as they've lost a slew of defenders to season-ending injuries, including DE Aidan Hutchinson (leg) and DT Alim McNeill (knee).

Ekeler (concussion) rushed three times for 12 yards and caught both of his targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 23-19 win over the Cowboys.

Ekeler returned from injured reserve to make his first appearance since Week 12. He reprised his role as the change-of-pace option behind Brian Robinson in Washington's backfield. Ekeler finishes the regular season with 77 carries for 367 yards and four touchdowns, as well as 35 catches for 366 yards on 41 targets in 12 appearances. The Commanders will go on the road in the wild-card round against either the Rams or Buccaneers.

The Commanders activated Ekeler (concussion) from injured reserve Saturday, and he doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at Dallas.

Since he was designated for return from IR on Wednesday, Ekeler put together three straight full practices and entered the weekend listed as questionable for Week 18 action. In conjunction with activating him Saturday, the team took him off the injury report, thereby paving the way for his first appearance since he sustained a concussion Week 12 against the Cowboys. At the very least, Ekeler should take on a pass-catching role out of Washington's backfield alongside lead runner Brian Robinson, which likely will relegate Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez to lesser roles than they've had in recent outings.

Ekeler (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Dallas, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

The Commanders designated Ekeler to return from injured reserve Wednesday, at which point he logged the first of three consecutive full practices. He'll need to be activated from IR on Saturday in order to play in the regular-season finale. If that happens, it'll likely mean reduced workloads for Jeremy McNichols and/or Chris Rodriguez, and it's also possible Ekeler would cut into Brian Robinson's usage.

Ekeler (concussion) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Ekeler remains on injured reserve due to the concussion he suffered late in a Week 12 matchup with the Cowboys, but his ability to log back-to-back uncapped sessions to begin Week 18 prep implies he's closing in on gaining clearance from an independent neurologist. He'll have to do just that, and then the Commanders will need to activate him from IR by Saturday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline, in order for him to have a chance to play Sunday at Dallas.

Ekeler (concussion) was a full participant Wednesday in his return to practice.

Full participation improves Ekeler's odds of playing Sunday against the Cowboys, although it's still possible the Commanders hold him out or only give him a small workload. A win this Sunday gives Washington the No. 6 seed and a first-round matchup with the Rams or Buccaneers, while a loss could drop Washington to No. 7 (if Green Bay beats Chicago) and set up a more challenging playoff matchup with the Eagles.

The Commanders have opened the the 21-day practice window for Ekeler, who was placed on IR on Nov. 30 due to a concussion.

It remains to be seen if Ekeler will be activated ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cowboys, but at a minimum the veteran running back will be able to get some practice reps in prior to Washington's upcoming playoff run. If Ekeler is active versus Dallas, he'd probably be eased back into the mix, however, with Brian Robinson, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez also available to handle Week 18 backfield reps.

Washington head coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday that it's "absolutely possible" for Ekeler (concussion) to return from injured reserve before the season ends, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Ekeler will miss his fourth straight game this Sunday against the Falcons, but he'll be eligible to resume practicing beginning next week. Though Quinn didn't confirm that Ekeler will be ready to do so, the veteran running back looks like he at least has a chance to be activated for the Week 18 game in Dallas, or in advance of the wild-card round of the playoffs. The Commanders have been leaning on Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez as the backup options behind starter Brian Robinson while Ekeler has been sidelined for the past three contests.

Ekeler said Tuesday that he's still dealing with concussion symptoms and neck pain and remains in the league's concussion protocol, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Furthermore, Ekeler said he doesn't remember walking off the field or anything until getting in the ambulance to go to the hospital when he was concussed on Nov. 24 against the Cowboys. The veteran running back also states he had memory loss following his Week 3 concussion earlier in the season. All of these symptoms led to Ekeler's placement on injured reserve ahead of Week 13, sidelining him until at least Week 18. Brian Robinson, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez are set to handle backfield duties while Ekeler is out.

Ekeler (concussion) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

This wasn't that surprising given Ekeler's history of concussions over his career, with the Week 12 concussion accounting for his second of the 2024 campaign. The veteran running back won't be eligible to return until Week 18, effectively ending his fantasy season. Jeremy McNichols figures to step in immediately as the pass-catching running back and has done well in that rule in replace of Ekeler, tallying nine touches for 74 yards and two touchdowns back in Week 4 against the Cardinals.

Ekeler (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

Brian Robinson, on the other hand, has been cleared on the final injury report after upgrading to full practice participation Friday. Ekeler unsurprisingly didn't practice this week after suffering his second concussion of the season, but he stands a decent chance to avoid additional missed games with a bye coming up for Washington in Week 14.

Ekeler (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's injury report.

Ekeler's lack of activity just four days removed from suffering a concussion on a kickoff return this past Sunday against the Cowboys doesn't come as a surprise and leaves him on the outside looking in toward clearing league protocol ahead of Week 13 action. Ultimately, the Commanders may make a ruling Friday on his availability for Sunday's game versus the Titans. An absence for Ekeler likely would mean an elevated role for Brian Robinson if the latter is able to put an ankle injury behind him.

Ekeler (concussion) won't practice Wednesday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Ekeler remains in concussion protocol after he suffered a head injury on a hard tackle during a kickoff return in the final minute of Sunday's 34-26 loss to the Cowboys. While he'll still have two more chances this week to make enough progress through the protocol to take part in practice, Ekeler doesn't appear to be trending toward playing this Sunday against the Titans. An Ekeler absence this weekend would open more snaps for back running backs Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez, who could see their roles grow even larger if lead back Brian Robinson (ankle) is also sidelined against the Titans.

Ekeler sustained a concussion during Sunday's 34-26 loss to the Cowboys, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Per Jhabvala, head coach Dan Quinn added that Ekeler -- who was injured on a kickoff return late in the contest -- will undergo further testing out of an abundance of caution. In addition to Ekeler sustaining a concussion Sunday, fellow running back Brian Robinson left the game with an ankle injury in the first half, returned and then left again. The status of both backs will thus be worth monitoring as next weekend's home tilt versus the Titans approaches.

Ekeler rushed twice for seven yards and secured eight of nine targets for 89 yards in the Commanders' 26-18 loss to the Eagles. He also returned two kickoffs for 59 yards and committed a fumble recovered by Washington.

Ekeler was a non-factor on the ground after back-to-back games with double-digit rush attempts, with Brian Robinson healthy and logging 16 carries. However, Ekeler did finish as the team leader in receptions, receiving yards and targets, with all three components also serving as season highs. Ekeler is likely to be a bit more involved in the ground attack and remain a key complementary target at minimum during a favorable Week 12 home matchup against the Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 24.

Ekeler likely will return to a backup role with Brian Robinson (hamstring) set to play Thursday at Philadelphia, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Ekeler's workload was perhaps disappointing during Robinson's two-game absence -- 14 touches in each game -- but a trio of one-yard touchdowns got the job done for fantasy managers. With Robinson back in action, Ekeler is unlikely to continue his goal-line-TD binge but should take most of the snaps in passing situations while also subbing in for some carries.

Ekeler rushed the ball 13 times for 44 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Steelers. He added one reception on two targets for seven yards.

Ekeler drew his second straight start with Brian Robinson (hamstring) sidelined. Only one of his rush attempts went for double-digit yardage, though he made his day with a pair of one-yard touchdown runs. Ekeler was curiously uninvolved as a pass catcher, though that part of his game could return if Robinson can re-take the field in Week 11 against the Eagles, in turn pushing Ekeler back into a complementary role.

Ekeler may be in line to lead the Commanders backfield Sunday against the Steelers with Brian Robinson (hamstring) ruled out for the contest, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.

With Robinson sidelined Week 9 at the Giants, Ekeler started and paced Washington running backs with 47 percent of the snaps, while Jeremy McNichols took 39 percent and Chris Rodriguez handled 32 percent. The breakdown of touches was a different story, at least for the reserves. Ekeler earned 11 touches (for 83 yards from scrimmage and a rushing TD) to Rodriguez's 11 (all carries for 52 yards) and McNichols' eight (all rushes for 20 yards). Rodriguez has been elevated three times this season, so he'll need to be signed to the active roster Saturday in order to vie with Ekeler and McNichols for work Sunday.

Ekeler rushed the ball 11 times for 42 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Giants. He added three receptions on four targets for 41 yards.

Ekeler saw his highest carry total of the season in the absence of Brian Robinson (hamstring). He accounted for the majority of his production on the ground on Washington's first drive of the second quarter, during which he delivered rushes of 20 and five yards as well as a one-yard touchdown plunge. Ekeler supplemented that with his work as a receiver, highlighted by a 28-yard catch and run to help set up a game-clinching field goal midway through the fourth quarter. Robinson was able to practice in limited fashion throughout the week, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in action in Week 10 against the Steelers. In turn, that would relegate Ekeler to a change-of-pace role.

Ekeler is expected to be the Commanders' primary running back Sunday at the Giants with Brian Robinson (hamstring) inactive.

Robinson's practice reps were capped this week due to a hamstring injury, and after a pregame warmup didn't yield the desired results for game day, Washington opted to keep him on the sideline. The situation opens the door for Ekeler to lead the backfield for the second time this season, but in the other such outing (Week 6 at Baltimore), he tallied 68 yards from scrimmage on 13 touches. Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez also will be on hand for snaps behind Ekeler.

Ekeler rushed the ball seven times for 52 yards in Sunday's 18-15 win over the Bears. He added two receptions on three targets for six yards.

Ekeler continued to serve as the change-of-pace back in Washington, seeing half the carries of Brian Robinson. His stat line oversells his production considerably, as he tallied a 29-yard rush on a meaningless play just before halftime. He was also oddly quiet as a pass catcher, and he's now been held to single-digit receiving yards for consecutive games.

Ekeler rushed the ball four times for 17 yards in Sunday's 40-7 win over the Panthers. He added two receptions on two targets for three yards.

Ekeler returned to his typical role as the change-of-pace back behind Brian Robinson, though game script dictated that he was sidelined for the final 19 minutes of the contest. Washington maintained a significant lead throughout the game, also limiting its pass attempts and cutting into Ekeler's primary way to contribute to the offense. The Commanders will face a much more difficult task in Week 8 against the Bears, so Ekeler should be asked to make more of an impact.

Ekeler carried the ball nine times for 21 yards and caught four of five targets for 47 yards in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Ravens.

Baltimore's run defense didn't allow a run of 10 or more yards all game, and Jayden Daniels wound up leading Washington in rushing yards with a mere 22. Ekeler still salvaged some fantasy value through the air, and he's hauled in multiple passes in all five of his games to begin the season, with Sunday's five targets being a season high. If Brian Robinson (knee) isn't able to return in Week 7, Ekeler could be a lot busier next week against the Panthers.

Ekeler is poised to operate as the team's main running back after Brian Robinson (knee) was ruled out ahead of Sunday's contest.

Typically when a team loses a starting running back to injury it tries to mix and match to replace the production. Ekeler at least has the career pedigree to step in seamlessly as the three-down workhorse, even if he can't replicate Brian Robinson's bludgeoning rushing style. Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez will likely both spell Ekeler at times, but the longtime Chargers do-it-all back will have an opportunity for a vintage performance against the Ravens, who've allowed the eighth-most receiving yards to opposing running backs through five weeks.

Ekeler (heel) practiced in full Thursday.

Ekeler followed up Wednesday's capped session with all activity one day later, indicating his heel issue isn't too much of a concern. At the same time, fellow RB Brian Robinson has yet to practice this week due to a lingering knee injury. Robinson was able to suit up this past Sunday versus the Browns, but snaps and touches were spread among him, Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols. A similar breakdown of reps between the trio is likely to occur Sunday in Baltimore if Robinson again is active.

Ekeler (heel) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday.

Ekeler was productive in his return from a one-game absence this past Sunday against the Browns, turning eight touches into 97 yards from scrimmage while pacing Commanders running backs with a 49 percent snap share. Meanwhile, Brian Robinson fell back to No. 2 due to a lingering knee injury on his way to seven carries for 18 yards and two touchdowns, and Jeremy McNichols had seven rushes for 44 yards and one TD. Robinson again didn't practice Wednesday, so assuming the entire trio is able to suit up Sunday in Baltimore, a similar breakdown of reps may come to pass in that contest.

Ekeler carried the ball six times for 67 yards and caught both his targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Browns.

Despite the low touch volume, Ekeler produced a season-best yardage total in his return from a concussion that cost him last week's win over the Cardinals. The former Charger might have has even bigger day from a fantasy perspective, but Washington's three rushing TDs from inside the five-yard line went to Brian Robinson (two) and Jeremy McNichols (one) instead. Ekeler is showing he's got plenty left in the tank after his rough 2023 campaign with the Bolts, and through his first five games as a Commander he's averaging an eye-popping 7.9 yards per carry, albeit on only 19 totes. He'll look to keep rolling in Week 6 against the Ravens.

Ekeler cleared concussion protocol and will play against the Browns on Sunday, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

Meanwhile, backfield mate Brian Robinson (knee) is said to be "trending in the right direction" but could be headed for a game-time decision. A Robinson absence would set up Ekeler for his largest workload of the season, with Jeremy McNichols potentially also having a significant role again after filling in for Ekeler during last week's win at Arizona.

Ekeler (concussion) practiced in full Thursday.

Ekeler returned to drills this week for the first time since he sustained a concussion Week 3, and he increased his activity level from limited Wednesday to all activity Thursday. Per John Keim of ESPN.com, Ekeler even was spotted without a yellow non-contact jersey Thursday, signaling that he's been cleared for contact. Still, Ekeler must gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to suit up Sunday in Seattle. Because Brian Robinson (knee) hasn't practiced this week, there's a chance Ekeler will take on a significant role this weekend, assuming he's active and the former is inhibited or sits out.

Ekeler (concussion) practiced in a limited capacity.

Ekeler left midway through the Commanders' Week 3 win at Cincinnati due to a concussion, and the issue didn't allow him to practice at all last week before he missed this past Sunday's contest at Arizona. Coach Dan Quinn told John Keim of ESPN.com earlier Wednesday that the "arrows are pointing up" for Ekeler, and his return to practice, even in a capped fashion, has set him on a path to suiting up again. In the end, though, Ekeler must gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to be able to play Sunday against the Browns.

Ekeler (concussion) expects to be back on the field in Week 5 versus the Browns, Grant Paulsen of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler was unavailable for the team's Week 4 win over the Cardinals due to a concussion and the running back is still working his way through league protocols. Ekeler said Tuesday that he is "feeling more like himself" and his status on the team's injury report throughout the week will be worth monitoring.

Coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Ekeler (concussion) won't be available for Sunday's game at Arizona, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Ekeler was removed from Monday's win at Cincinnati due to a concussion, and Quinn revealed Tuesday that the running back also was dealing with a laceration to his ear, per Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site. With his lack of availability already confirmed for Week 4, Ekeler's next chance to suit up is Sunday, Oct. 6 against the Browns. In Ekeler's absence, Brian Robinson likely stands to handle a greater share of Washington's backfield, while Jeremy McNichols and practice-squad members Chris Rodriguez and Michael Wiley will be candidates ti fill in behind Robinson.

Head coach Dan Quinn said that Ekeler sustained a concussion as well as a laceration to his ear during Monday's 38-33 win over the Bengals, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

The team had already confirmed that Ekeler entered the NFL's concussion protocol after hitting his head during the third quarter Monday, resulting in his early exit from the contest. The ear laceration hadn't been reported, but clearing the five-step protocol will likely be Ekeler's chief concern as he aims to be available for the Commanders' Week 4 game Sunday in Arizona. If Ekeler is ruled out for Week 4, the Commanders could lean more heavily on lead back Brian Robinson in the passing game, while No. 3 back Jeremy McNichols could also carve out a more substantial change-of-pace role.

Ekeler will not return to Monday's matchup with the Bengals after sustaining a concussion, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Ekeler took a handoff in the red zone during the third quarter of Monday's contest and subsequently exited the game. He had tallied 57 total yards and one touchdown prior to sustaining the injury. He will need to clear the league's concussion protocol at some point during the week in order to avoid a Week 4 absence in Arizona.

Ekeler carried the ball eight times for 38 yards and caught all three of his targets for 47 yards in Sunday's 21-18 win over the Giants.

The former Charger had more receiving yards than rushing yards for the second straight game, as he continues to form as effective complement to early-down back Brian Robinson -- who pounded out 133 rushing yards on 17 carries Sunday -- in the Washington backfield. Ekeler will look to get into the end zone for the first time with his new team in a Week 3 tile against the Bengals.

Ekeler rushed twice for 10 yards and caught all four of his targets for 52 yards in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Buccaneers.

Ekeler got just two rushing attempts compared to 12 for fellow running back Brian Robinson and 16 for quarterback Jayden Daniels, but the versatile veteran made up for the lack of volume on the ground by leading the team in receiving yards. Daniels failed to push the ball down the field effectively, checking down to Ekeler, Robinson (48 receiving yards) and tight end Zach Ertz (28 yards) for the majority of his 184 passing yards. Ekeler's floor is low heading into Week 2 against the Giants with Robinson getting the majority of rushing opportunities in Washington's backfield, but Ekeler's explosiveness could allow him to make the most of his limited touches.

Ekeler brought in his only target for four yards in the Commanders' 13-6 preseason loss to the Dolphins on Saturday night.

The fact Ekeler didn't see a rush attempt was somewhat surprising, but he didn't appear to remain in the game past the second possession. The veteran back is set to work in a complementary role alongside Brian Robinson this coming season, and Ekeler's preseason usage profile through two games appears to corroborate that standing.

Ekeler rushed twice for seven yards and didn't catch his only target in Saturday's 20-17 preseason loss to the Jets.

Ekeler and Brian Robinson got two carries apiece inside the Jets' 10-yard line on the opening drive, but it was quarterback Jayden Daniels who ultimately capped that possession with a three-yard rushing touchdown. Ekeler scored 30 rushing touchdowns over the last three regular seasons as the Chargers' unquestioned top rushing option by the goal line, but he'll have to compete for those valuable looks against Robinson and Daniels in Washington. Both Ekeler and Robinson should continue to mix in with the first-team offense in next Saturday's preseason matchup with the Dolphins.

Ekeler and Brian Robinson both are listed as starters on Washington's initial preseason depth chart.

The Commanders list 12 starters on offense, with three WRs, two RBs and a TE (but no FLEX). Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury suggested Tuesday that Ekeler and Robinson both will have significant roles, referring to the duo as a "1-2 punch" and noting that he doesn't think Ekeler's down year in 2023 was due to physical decline. "I'm not sure what it was last year," Kingsbury said. "But [Ekeler] hasn't lost a step. He's as quick, and as fast and as strong as I've seen him."

Ekeler is signing a two-year contract with the Commanders, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The deal reportedly is worth up to $11.43 million, but with only $4.82 million guaranteed in the first season and a significant portion being incentives. Ekeler turns 29 in May and is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he experienced a massive downturn from his 2021-22 production while dealing with a high-ankle sprain and poor blocking. Even if he can't recapture his peak form, he should be useful as a passing-down back given that he has 3,884 career receiving yards and 30 receiving TDs. The Commanders likely envision Ekeler and Brian Robinson sharing backfield snaps, though it might look quite a bit different than Robinson's split with Antonio Gibson in 2023 (Gibson is signing with the Patriots, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network). The Commanders have a new offensive coordinator (Kliff Kingsbury) and are widely expected to acquire a new quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Chargers don't plan to give Ekeler a franchise tag, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Ekeler was never a serious candidate for the tag, given the Chargers' hesitance to hand him big contracts in the past and his downturn in production during the 2023 season. He'll hope to convince other teams that his high-ankle sprain was a big part of the problem in 2023, along with general dysfunction in Los Angeles that made it difficult to find running lanes and gain yards. Ekeler seems like a questionable fit under new Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman -- best known for powerful running games -- but a return to Los Angeles can't entirely be ruled out at this juncture. If he does end up signing elsewhere, it's hard to say whether Ekeler will be deployed as a lead back or as more of a passing-down guy in a timeshare.

Ekeler rushed the ball 10 times for 11 yards in Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Chiefs. He added seven receptions on eight targets for 38 yards.

The Chargers ran 80 offensive plays in the loss, with Easton Stick taking to the air 47 times. As a result, Ekeler saw limited opportunity on the ground and was held to under 15 rushing yards for the second time in his last four games. He did manage to salvage his day as a receiver by matching his highest reception total of the season. It was a fitting close to a disappointing season for the Chargers overall as well as Ekeler personally, though he did still manage 1,064 yards from scrimmage with six total scores. He'll enter free agency this offseason, leaving his potential role in 2024 unclear.

Ekeler rushed 13 times for 46 yards and caught his only target for four yards in Sunday's 16-9 loss to the Broncos.

Ekeler was featured on offense for a Chargers team that was without its quarterback and top three wideouts Sunday. The remaining star on offense finished with a team-high 14 touches, but he was stymied by a stout Broncos defense and held to 50 total yards and no scores. In positive news, Ekeler's efforts helped him reach 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 13 semi-healthy games this season.The Chargers will still be lacking several key pieces in Week 18, so expect Ekeler to coninue to be featured on offense in the team's regular-season finale against the Chiefs.

Ekeler rushed 15 times for 63 yards and caught three of four targets for 21 yards in Saturday's 24-22 loss to the Bills.

Ekeler saw his role reduced to single-digit touches in last week's loss to the Raiders, but his role was quickly restored by interim head coach Giff Smith on Saturday after Brandon Staley was let go last week. Ekeler responded with one of his better performances in what has been a down year affected by injury. The 28-year-old finished with a per-carry average above four yards for just the third time in 11 attempts since returning from a high-ankle sprain back in Week 6. Two of the three have come over the star tailback's last three contests, which could be the product of his ankle returning to full health in recent weeks. Ekeler's improved play coupled with a high touch count make him a plus fantasy play next Sunday against Denver.

Ekeler rushed five times for nine yards and brought in four of six targets for 29 yards in the Chargers' 63-21 loss to the Raiders on Thursday night.

Ekeler's rumored usage downturn essentially came a game later than expected, with Isaiah Spiller outpacing him by 11 carries and Joshua Kelley logging five rush attempts as well. With Keenan Allen (heel) sidelined, Ekeler did finish tied for second in receptions and as the runner-up in targets, but the ineffectiveness with his season-low number of carries could mean he'll operate as more of a complementary option again in a Week 16 home matchup against the Bills on Saturday, Dec. 23.

Ekeler carried the ball 10 times for 51 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-7 loss to the Broncos. He also caught five of his seven targets for 49 yards.

Despite coded comments from head coach Brandon Staley earlier in the week that left some speculating Ekeler would cede touches to Joshua Kelley and Isaiah Spiller, the multi-faceted back saw his usual workload while the aforementioned backups combining for nine carries and 25 yards. It's unclear if that's because the Chargers trailed from the jump, and were put in an even more difficult situation after Justin Herbert left the game late in the second quarter with an injury to a finger on his throwing hand, or if it was by design, but the end result is hardly surprising given the career acumen of Kelley and Spiller. Herbert's status could certainly affect Ekeler's upside come Thursday's Week 15 contest against the Raiders, but backup quarterback Easton Stick could also rely heavily on the pass-catching running back should he play making the Pro Bowl back a likely solid fantasy play regardless.

Though Ekeler remains in line to start, Joshua Kelley and Isaiah Spiller are also expected to see work in the Chargers' backfield Sunday against the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Ekeler carried 14 times for 18 yards and caught two of his three targets for nine yards in last weekend's 6-0 win over the Patriots, and Per Rapoport the Chargers may be inclined to get Kelley and/or Spiller more involved Sunday. Rapoport adds that the team is expected to ride the hot hand versus Denver, be that Ekeler or one of his fellow RBs.

Ekeler may be at risk of losing out on some snaps and touches out of the backfield after Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Wednesday that "competition for carries is going to be something that you can see happening," Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports. "We're going to keep exploring, making adjustments, so that we can find that rhythm that I've been talking about," Staley said. "We know that Austin is a good running back. We just haven't found any rhythm in the last couple of weeks in the run game. Just ne

Staley's comments come while Ekeler has mustered just 3.0 yards per carry on 110 total rushing attempts since the running back returned from a three-game absence due to a high-ankle sprain following the Chargers' Week 5 bye. Ekeler hasn't seemed to show any notable improvement as he's become further removed from the injury; as Sunday's game against the Broncos approaches, the 28-year-old is in the midst of a streak of 28 carries that have gained six yards or fewer. Joshua Kelley would be next in line to poach touches out of the backfield if the Chargers elect to scale back Ekeler's workload on the ground, though Kelley hasn't made much of a case to deserve more snaps in his own right. Over his last four appearances, Kelley has averaged just 2.6 yards on 53 totes. The Chargers' wholesale struggles in run blocking -- the team's 26 percent run-block win rate is the seventh-lowest in the league this season -- seem to have played at least some part in Ekeler's poor efficiency, and his downturn in productivity come

Ekeler carried the ball 14 times for 18 yards and caught two of his three targets for nine yards in Sunday's 6-0 win over the Patriots.

Given the Patriots offense rarely managed to pose much of a threat, Ekeler and the rest of the offense was essentially tasked with not making a mistake that could give way to easy points the other way. The end result was one of Ekeler's more futile fantasy outings in his entire career, but the raining and murky conditions certainly aided in his ineffectiveness. The dynamic dual threat has struggled on the ground this season, but it could get easier next week against a Broncos defense that has been vulnerable to running backs in fantasy.

Ekeler rushed 10 times for 32 yards and caught five of six targets for 32 yards while losing a fumble in Sunday's 20-10 loss to Baltimore.

Ekeler's fumble didn't kill a late comeback attempt like it did in last week's loss the Packers, as that honor went to quarterback Justin Herbert in Week 12, who fumbled in the fourth quarter with the Chargers trailing by just three points. Ekeler has now lost a fumble in consecutive games while tying his previous high in total fumbles (three) despite appearing in just eight games this year. The dual-threat back has also been held to under four yards per carry in every game other than last week's loss to Green Bay. Ekeler may still be dealing with lingering effects from the high-ankle sprain he suffered back in Week 1. Whatever the root cause may be, it is becoming painfully obvious that the fantasy star is not living up to his billing in 2023. Ekeler will look to get right against the Patriots next Sunday.

Ekeler rushed 10 times for 64 yards and lost a fumble in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Packers. He also caught two of three targets for six yards.

Ekeler was surprisingly held at bay by a Packers defense that has struggled against the run this season. While the tailback's average of 6.4 yards per carry was impressive, Ekeler coughed up the ball in scoring territory during the fourth quarter. With minimal contribution in the passing game, it was a missed opportunity for Ekeler, who is now set to square off against a tough Ravens defense in Week 12.

Ekeler registered 19 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown along with four reception (on seven targets) for 48 yards in the 41-38 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

The Lions' vaunted run defense certainly was advertised as Ekeler averaged just 3.5 yards per carry over the afternoon. The electric scatback did get his customary redzone work which resulted in a short touchdown, but the 28-year-old was otherwise bottled in terms of explosive plays. The seven-year pro now has six consecutive games with at least 14 carries and owns a near monopoly on the goal-line touches, which means even with a pitiful yards-per-carry average under four on the season, he's virtually a fantasy lock regardless each and every week.

Ekeler carried the ball 14 times for 47 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two of his seven targets for 23 yards in the 27-6 win over the Jets on Monday.

Ekeler punched in both touchdowns from a couple of yards out, but he uncharacteristically had a number of drops, specifically in the first half which could have produced way more yardage. The Chargers' offense hardly had to put much effort in this one as Zach Wilson and the Jets could barely cross the 50-yard line. Expect the mundane offensive figures to look a bit different Week 10 against a much better team overall in the Lions.

Ekeler (ankle) carried the ball 15 times for 29 yards and caught seven of eight targets for 94 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-13 win over Chicago. He also coughed up a fumble, his first of the season.

Ekeler continued to struggle as a rusher since returning from injury in Week 6, but he finally broke out for fantasy managers with his contributions as a receiver. The 28-year-old displayed his usual burst on a handful of his 22 combined touches Sunday, something that was lacking when he initially returned from injury. With an extra day of rest scheduled ahead of next Monday's tilt the Jets, we could see the healthiest version of Ekeler since Week 1 when he combined for 164 yards and a touchdown against Miami.

Ekeler (ankle) practiced fully Wednesday.

During this past Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Chiefs, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times noted that Ekeler was spotted limping off the field after a rushing attempt, but the running back was able to resume action and ended up logging 40 of 63 snaps on offense, while carrying 14 times for 45 yards and catching one of his two targets for one yard. A full practice Wednesday sets the stage for Ekeler to continue to lead the Chargers' backfield this weekend against the 2-5 Bears, with Joshua Kelley on hand to work in a complementary role.

Ekeler carried the ball 14 times for 45 yards in the 31-17 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. He also caught one of his two targets for one yard.

Ekeler appeared to sustain some sort of ankle injury in the first half, but he managed to play through it. It was an ineffective day overall for the Chargers offense, particularly in the second half as the team failed to score a single point in the final 30 minutes. While Ekeler's status will likely need to be monitored throughout the week, the workload (14 carries for Ekeler compared to seven for Joshua Kelley) would seem to suggest this won't be a significant issue moving forward.

Ekeler (ankle) rushed 14 times for 27 yards and caught four of six targets for 35 yards in Monday's 20-17 loss to the Cowboys.

Ekeler made his much anticipated return from the high-ankle sprain he suffered back in Week 1, reclaiming his role atop the Chargers' RB depth chart. The electric back didn't have his usual burst after coming back from a lower-body injury, averaging just 1.9 yards per attempt against Dallas. It wasn't the triumphant return managers were hoping to get from their top talent, but a healthy four quarters with a full dose of touches should be considered a success. Ekeler appears to have escaped Monday's loss no worse for wear, putting the fantasy star on track to be available for Sunday's divisional matchup against the Chiefs.

Ekeler (ankle) returned to a full practice Thursday.

Kris Rhim of ESPN.com previously relayed that Ekeler said there was a 99 percent chance that he'd return to action this week, and the running back's full practice participation Thursday has him on track to play Monday night against the Cowboys. Ekeler sustained a right high-ankle sprain in Week 1, but after the Chargers' Week 5 bye, he's ready to reclaim his role as the team's top back and thus belongs back in Week 6 fantasy lineups.

Ekeler said Tuesday that he's "99 percent" certain that he'll play Monday against the Cowboys, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Since sustaining a high-ankle sprain Week 1, Ekeler has missed three games, but the team's recent bye week means he may not log another DNP as a result of the injury. He participated on Tuesday's unofficial session, and Thursday's practice report will reveal how he kicks off Week 6 prep. If he's able to get back to full after being listed as limited on all three reports back in Week 4, Ekeler's prediction will be set in motion, barring a setback as the weekend draws closer.

Ekeler (ankle) was present at Tuesday's unofficial practice, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Prior to the Chargers' Week 5 bye, Ekeler missed three consecutive contests due to a sprained ankle, which was believed to be of the 'high' variety. During Week 4 prep, he was listed as a limited participant on all three of the team's injury reports, so it'll be interesting to see how he shows up Wednesday, when L.A. will post its first report for Week 6.

Ekeler (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's Week 4 game against the Raiders.

Ekeler's doubtful tag essentially sealed his third straight absence, and his lack of availability against Las Vegas is now official. Joshua Kelley, who's gained only 51 yards on 24 carries over the last two games as Los Angeles' lead back, is set to once again helm the Chargers' backfield, while Ekeler's absence could also benefit the team's pass-catching corps in the form of some extra targets. Having practiced in limited fashion throughout the week and with a Week 5 bye on tap, Ekeler seems like a good bet to return to action in a Week 6 Monday night home showdown against the Cowboys on Oct. 16.

Ekeler (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Ekeler, who has missed two straight games, was able to log limited practices this week, but he's trending toward another absence Sunday, with the Chargers' on bye in Week 5. Assuming Ekeler is inactive this weekend, Joshua Kelley will continue to lead the team's backfield versus Las Vegas, with Isaiah Spiller and Elijah Dotson available to handle complementary snaps.

Ekeler (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion once again Thursday.

Ekeler, who has missed two straight games, was also limited Wednesday in his return to practice, with his status for Sunday's game against the Raiders to be determined. Per Kris Rhim of ESPN, Ekeler noted after Wednesday's session that a return to action this weekend is a "possibility." Friday's final injury report will reveal Ekeler's Week 4 injury designation, but if there's any doubt about the soundness of his ankle once the team wraps up its practice week, erring on the side of caution with the running back could be an option with a Week 5 bye looming.

Ekeler (ankle) returned to a limited practice Wednesday.

Ekeler didn't practice at all last week, so his return to the field Wednesday, albeit in a limited fashion, is a positive indicator with regard to the running back's chances of suiting up Sunday against the Raiders. Ekeler will now have two more chances to upgrade to full participation, which he'd presumably need to do in order to avoid a Week 4 injury designation.

Ekeler (ankle) is present for practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler has missed two straight games, but his presence on the field Wednesday offers hope that the running could return to action Sunday against the Raiders. The Chargers' upcoming injury report will provide valuable context on that front by clarifying Ekeler's participation level.

Ekeler, who is dealing with what Tom Pelissero of NFL Network describes as a higher-type ankle sprain, is hopeful regarding a possible return to action next weekend against the Raiders.

That said, Pelissero suggests that with the Chargers on bye in Week 5, the team could elect to err on the side of caution with its top back versus Las Vegas in Week 4. As long as Ekeler is sidelined, Joshua Kelley is slated to lead Los Angeles' backfield, with Elijah Dotson and Isaiah Spiller also on hand to log complementary snaps.

Ekeler (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Now that Ekeler is slated to miss his second straight contest, Joshua Kelley is in line to lead the Chargers' backfield Sunday, with Elijah Dotson and Isaiah Spiller on hand to log complementary snaps. Ekeler's next chance to return to game action will arrive in Week 4 against the Raiders.

Ekeler (ankle) isn't expected to practice Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Ekeler, who was inactive in Week 2, also missed practice Wednesday and Thursday and the running back's expected absence Friday clouds his status for Sunday's game against the Vikings. If Ekeler remains out this weekend, Joshua Kelley would be in line to lead the Chargers' Week 3 backfield, with Elijah Dotson and Isaiah Spiller in reserve.

Ekeler (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Back-to-back absences set the stage for Friday's practice to be crucial with regard to Ekeler's chances of playing Sunday against the Vikings. If the running back remains out this weekend, Joshua Kelley would once again be in line to lead the Chargers' backfield in Week 3.

Ekeler (ankle) isn't practicing Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Brandon Staley said Monday that there's "no timeline" for Ekeler's return from the ankle injury that kept him out in Week 2, so it's no surprise that the star running back isn't practicing Wednesday. If Ekeler isn't ready to play Sunday, Joshua Kelley would be in line to handle the majority of backfield touches against a Minnesota defense that allowed 259 rushing yards to the Eagles last week.

Coach Brandon Staley noted Monday that there's "no timeline" on Ekeler's return from the ankle injury that sidelined him in Week 2, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

A previous report via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggested that Ekeler has a chance to return to action this weekend against the Vikings, but after missing practice all of last week the first step toward such an outcome would be the running back returning to the field in some capacity in the coming days. In Ekeler's absence Sunday against the Titans, Joshua Kelley led the Chargers' backfield, carrying 13 times for 39 yards.

Ekeler (ankle), who is ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Titans, has a chance to retake the field Week 3, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Ekeler's ankle issue prevented him from practicing this week, but it looks like he could be in better shape soon. Joshua Kelley figures to start versus Tennessee in Ekeler's stead, making him a valuable option for fantasy managers even against one of the league's better run defenses, but the situation will need to be reevaluated when the Chargers take on Minnesota in Week 3. Los Angeles also has Elijah Dotson and Isaiah Spiller in reserve.

Ekeler (ankle) has been downgraded to out and will not play Sunday against the Titans, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ekeler didn't practice this week, so this designation wasn't much of a surprise. Joshua Kelley figures to take on an extensive workload against one of the best run defenses in the leagues in Tennessee. Prior to last week, Kelley's career high in rushing yards was 49 yards on 10 attempts as he's been primarily used as a backup to Ekeler over the years. It's entirely possible Elijah Dotson and Isaiah Spiller mix in as the "spell" back much in the same way Kelley has done, particularly in passing situations.

Ekeler (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Titans after not practicing this week.

Ekeler's Week 2 status will be confirmed ahead of Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff, but the official doubtful designation should prompt those who roster the star running back to seek a replacement for him this weekend. If Ekeler is ruled out, Joshua Kelley would be in line to lead the Chargers' backfield versus Tennessee, with Elijah Dotson and Isaiah Spiller in reserve.

Ekeler (ankle) wasn't spotted at practice Friday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, so his apparent absence from Friday's session is concerning. The Chargers' final injury report of the week will reveal the running back's official injury designation, but if Ekeler is limited or out Sunday against the Titans, Joshua Kelley would be in line to see added work in the Chargers' Week 2 backfield.

Ekeler (ankle) was officially listed as a non-participant in practice Thursday.

Ekeler also missed practice Wednesday due to a listed combination of an ankle injury and a personal issue, but on Thursday only his ankle issue was noted on the Chargers' practice report. What Ekeler is able to do during Friday's practice, if anything, will thus be telling with regard to his chances of playing Sunday against the Titans. If he's limited or out this weekend, Joshua Kelley would be in line to see an expanded workload in Week 2.

Ekeler (ankle) wasn't on the field for the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Unless Ekeler fits in some work behind closed doors Thursday, he'll go down as a non-participant on the Chargers' practice report for the second day in a row. Though it's unclear whether the ankle injury or personal matter Ekeler is tending to has played a greater part in him sitting out practices thus far in Week 2, but in any case, his status for Sunday's game in Tennessee is murky at the moment. Joshua Kelley, who rushed for a career-high 91 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in the Chargers' Week 1 loss to the Dolphins, would be the next man up to serve as Los Angeles' lead back this weekend if Ekeler is unavailable.

Ekeler (ankle/personal) didn't practice Wednesday.

In addition to managing an ankle injury that he sustained during Week 1 action, Ekeler tended to a personal matter Wednesday. Added context regarding the running back's status for Sunday's game against the Titans will thus arrive no later than Thursday's practice. Joshua Kelley would be next up for the Chargers' backfield touches this weekend if Ekeler ends up out or limited at all this weekend.

Coach Brandon Staley relayed Monday that Ekeler is dealing with an ankle injury, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

As a result, Ekeler's standing for Wednesday's practice is "to be determined," per Staley. With that in mind the running back's status will need to be monitored ahead of this Sunday's game against the Titans. If Ekeler ends up out or limited at all this weekend, Joshua Kelley would be in line for added Week 2 touches.

Ekeler registered 16 carries for 117 yards and one touchdown and hauled in four of five targets for 47 yards during Sunday's 36-34 loss versus the Dolphins.

Ekeler set the tone early Sunday, bursting through the line of scrimmage and flying for a 55-yard run late in the first quarter. He'd cap off that drive with a one-yard score and later would register a 35-yard reception that would set up another Chargers touchdown in the high-scoring affair. New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was brought in to improve the rushing attack and the offense certainly showed out in Week 1 combining for 234 total rushing yards including four-plus carries of 10-plus yards. The veteran running back did see teammate Joshua Kelley match his 16 carries and produce a respectable 91 yards, but Ekeler's explosiveness was clearly on display throughout. It could be tricky to see a bevy of yards on the ground against a stout Titans defense next week.

Ekeler isn't in line to play in Saturday's preseason game versus the Rams, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler is among a number of starters not suiting up for the Chargers' exhibition opener. With the team's top running back sidelined, all of Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller, Larry Rountree, Elijah Dotson and Tyler Hoosman can be expected to get some work out of the backfield. Ekeler's next opportunity for preseason action arrives Sunday, Aug. 20 against the Saints.

Ekeler is expected to stay with the Chargers for 2023 after they added $1.75 million in incentives for the final season of his contract, ESPN reports.

Ekeler requested a trade earlier this offseason, and while a minor adjustment to his current contract isn't exactly what he wanted, it'll apparently be enough to keep him in Los Angeles for one more year without a holdout. The 28-year-old led the NFL in touchdowns both of the past two seasons, scoring 38 times in 33 appearances while averaging 96.8 total yards. Ekeler figures to be busy again this season given the questionable backfield depth behind him, though QB Justin Herbert is expected to push the ball downfield more with the help of new OC Kellen Moore and rookie first-round wideout Quentin Johnston.

Ekeler wasn't present Monday for the first day of Los Angeles' organized team activities, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ekeler wanted an extension ahead of 2023 campaign, which is the final year under his current four-year contract, but with no progress made, he requested and was granted permission to seek a trade. However, he still remains with the Chargers following the draft, and it's becoming more likely he'll have to stick in Los Angeles for at least one more year before testing the open market in 2024. Despite the offseason antics, head coach Brandon Staley has remained steady and expects Ekeler to be present for the mandatory offseason workouts in June.

Ekeler isn't present Monday for voluntary offseason workouts, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

As expected, with no progress reported since Ekeler requested and received permission in March to seek a trade. He wants an extension as he heads into the final season of a four-year contract that he's easily outplayed, and his trade request seems to be an acknowledgement that the Chargers are unlikely to give him the deal he wants. There's a possible holdout brewing with the first mandatory team activities only a few weeks away, though it's still possible the team changes its mind on contract terms or finds a trade partner willing to give up a lot for Ekeler. The Chargers don't have much else in their backfield, with returning reserves Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller and Larry Rountree thus far joined by only a pair of undrafted rookies (Elijah Dotson, Tyler Hoosman).

Ekeler, who requested and received permission last month to pursue potential trade options, acknowledged Tuesday that he may remain with the Chargers in 2023, Nick Shook of NFL.com reports.

The star running back, who turns 28 in May, is in line to earn $6.25 million in the final season of his four-year, $24.5 million deal with Los Angeles. While Ekeler has stated "I want to be a Charger," his current trade request arrived after he was unable to make progress in extension talks with the team, thus prompting him to pivot toward looking for a franchise willing to make a long-term commitment to him. With that in mind, Ekeler noted "time will tell, and we'll see what happens after the draft," while adding that if things don't play out as he hopes in terms of securing a long-term pact, "the worst-case scenario right now out of all of it, I'll come back and I'll have to play for the Chargers for a year and bet on myself and then be a free agent next year."

The Chargers have granted Ekeler permission to seek a trade, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The report notes that the running back's request stems from a lack of progress in discussions regarding a new contract. Per Lindsey Thiry of ESPN, Ekeler is slated to earn $6.25 million in 2023, the final portion of his current four-year, $24.5 million contract. It remains to be seen if Ekeler's request leads to a trade, or alternatively results in an extension from the Chargers, but either way, the star back appears to be angling for payday more in line with his high level of production.

Ekeler is reportedly seeking permission to speak with other teams about a potential trade, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Schefter suggests that the star running back's reported request stems from a lack of progress in discussions regarding a potential contract extension with Ekeler. It remains to be seen if the Chargers are amenable to moving Ekeler, but under the current terms of his deal with the team, the 27-year-old is due $6.25 million in 2023, the final year of his deal with Los Angeles.

Ekeler rushed the ball 13 times for 35 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's 31-30 wild-card round loss to the Jaguars. He added two receptions for eight yards.

Ekeler appeared to be in line for a massive game, as he reached the end zone twice in the first quarter from 13 and six yards away. However, he struggled significantly from an efficiency perspective, particularly in the second half when he had only five carries for zero yards. Perhaps most concerning was Ekeler's lack of involvement as a pass catcher, as he earned four or fewer targets in his final five contests. He'll enter the final year of his current contract with the Chargers in 2023 and will undoubtedly continue to serve as the team's lead back.

Ekeler rushed 11 times for 34 yards and secured all four targets for 36 yards in the Chargers' 31-28 loss to the Broncos on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.

Ekeler put together a largely pedestrian performance to close out the regular season, although of overriding importance was the fact he came out of the contest unscathed. Ekeler finished campaign with three straight four-catch efforts to put the finishing touches on a 107-722-5 line through the air, and he also eclipsed the 900-yard mark on the ground for the second consecutive season. Ekeler is naturally slated to play a pivotal role in the Chargers' playoff fortunes beginning with next weekend's road wild-card road matchup against the Jaguars.

Ekeler rushed the ball 10 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 31-10 win over the Rams. He added four receptions for 39 yards.

Ekeler saw his lowest carry total since Week 13, though he did plenty of damage on limited touches. The highlight was a 72-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter, which came five minutes of game time after Ekeler had found the end zone from 10 yards away. Though he did plenty of damage as a rusher, Ekeler also bounced back as a receiver, a positive sign given that he had only 24 combined receiving yards across his last two games. With playoff seeding potentially still in the balance, Ekeler could take the field for a Week 18 matchup against the Broncos.

Ekeler (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Rams after practicing fully Friday.

Ekeler logged limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday, but the running back's return to a full session Friday paves the way for him to face the Rams on Sunday. Assuming no in-game setbacks, Ekeler -- who has logged a total of 16 TDs in 15 games to date -- should see enough carries and targets in Week 17 to continue to maintain fantasy relevance as the Chargers' clear-cut top backfield option.

Ekeler (knee) was limited at practice Thursday.

Given that Ekeler was also listed as limited on Wednesday's practice estimate, the Chargers' top running back will presumably need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams. So far there's been nothing to suggest that Ekeler's Week 17 status is in danger, but it he's limited at all this weekend, Joshua Kelley would be next up for added backfield touches.

Ekeler (knee) was listed as limited on Wednesday's practice estimate.

Ekeler logged a 60 percent snap share in Monday's 20-3 win over the Colts, while carrying 18 times for 67 yards and two TDs and catching all four of his targets for 12 yards in the contest. The running back's listed limitations Wednesday make his status worth monitoring as this weekend's game against the Rams approaches, with added context regarding his Week 17 availability set to arrive after the Chargers' Thursday practice.

Ekeler rushed the ball 18 times for 67 yards and two touchdowns in Monday's 20-3 win over the Colts. He added four receptions for 12 yards.

Ekeler entered the game with potential concerns about a shoulder injury, though he turned in his second-highest number of carries in a game this season. He didn't find much room to run -- he had only one gain of more than 10 yards -- but managed a pair of scores from one yard away to turn in a productive performance. While he has three touchdowns in his last two games, Ekeler has also been limited to 159 total yards in that span.

Head coach Brandon Staley said Monday that Ekeler had tests done on his shoulder, but they came back negative, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ekeler briefly left the field during the Chargers' first offensive possession of Week 15, but he quickly returned after getting checked on by trainers. He went on to rush 12 times for 58 yards and a score while securing two of three targets for 12 additional yards. Whatever issue Ekeler picked up early in Sunday's win over the Titans doesn't appear to be significant and shouldn't impact his availability moving forward, though the running back's participation at practice during Week 16 prep will likely provide further information on the situation.

Ekeler carried the ball 12 times for 58 yards and a touchdown and caught two of three targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 17-14 win over the Titans.

The running back got checked out for a possible arm injury after the Chargers' first drive of the game but returned quickly, although Ekeler wound up ceding more work than usual to Joshua Kelley the rest of the way. Ekeler's three-yard TD run in the fourth quarter was his ninth rushing touchdown and 14th total score of the season, and he's 173 yards short of his third career campaign with at least 1,500. He'll look to pad those numbers considerably in Week 16 against a Colts defense that's been trampled by Dalvin Cook and the Cowboys duo of Tony Pollards and Ezekiel Elliott over its last two games.

Ekeler carried the ball 15 times for 45 yards and caught all eight of his targets for 59 yards in Sunday's 23-17 win over the Dolphins. He also scored a rushing touchdown.

Ekeler's longest run actually came on a Wildcat RPO as the talented running back was otherwise bottled up on the ground. The 27-year-old continues to be a menace near the goal line with Sunday marking the 13th touchdown on the campaign, good for second most in the NFL. The pass-catching maven shows no signs of slowing down in a tantalizing matchup against the Titans in Week 15.

Ekeler carried the ball 10 times for 35 yards and also nabbed five of his six targets for 67 yards in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Raiders.

That now marks two straight games in which the Raiders held Ekeler to under 40 yards rushing, but at least in the rematch the talented back was able to gather a bit more receiving production. Ekeler remains one of the most consistent fantasy running backs given his usage as both a runner and receiver, and his ability to finish in the red zone. Even with a handful of difficult matchups to come, the 27-year-old is clearly playing at a superb level.

Ekeler recorded five rushes for 20 yards in Sunday's 25-24 win over Arizona. He added 11 receptions on 15 targets for 60 yards and a touchdown.

Ekeler was bottled up on the ground, with Justin Herbert serving as the team's leading rusher. However, Ekeler managed to make up for it through volume as a pass catcher by matching his season high in targets while recording his third game with 10 or more receptions. The highlight of his performance came with 15 seconds left in the game when he caught a one-yard touchdown that set up the game-winning two-point conversion. Though it's impossible to complain about Ekeler's production through 11 games this season, he has failed to reach 100 total yards in three of his last four matchups.

Ekeler carried the ball 19 times for 83 yards and also caught both of his targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Chiefs. He also scored a touchdown on the ground.

After tallying nine receptions in the Week 2 loss to the Chiefs, some expected Ekeler to once again act as a pass-catching maven in the Week 11 rematch. Instead the do-it-all back was a force on the ground registering 83 rushing yards, good for his third-best mark since Week 3 of the 2020 season. The veteran's touchdown also put him one behind the current season leader, Jamaal Williams, who has 12 on the campaign -- an amazing stat considering Ekeler didn't score a touchdown until Week 4. The 27-year-old should be primed for another positive outing next week against a struggling Cardinals defense.

Ekeler carried the ball six times for 24 yards and caught seven of his 12 targets for 39 yards in Sunday's 22-16 loss to the 49ers.

The Chargers tried to limit the 49ers' effective pass rush by checking it down to Ekeler, and while the dual-threat running back did snare a handful of them, there just wasn't much opportunity to make yards after the catch. Sunday also saw the end of Ekeler's five-game touchdown streak as the Chargers curiously opted to throw in the majority of the red-zone plays. It should get a bit easier next week as the Chargers take on the Chiefs in a pivotal divisional battle.

Ekeler rushed 14 times for 47 yards and a touchdown while catching seven of nine targets for 24 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Falcons. He also lost a fumble.

Ekeler got the Chargers on the board with a two-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, then gave his team a 14-10 lead with a one-yard touchdown catch in the final minute of the first half. With the Chargers driving for a winning field goal down the stretch, Ekeler fumbled at Atlanta's 20-yard line, but he was bailed out as the Falcons fumbled later on the same play, resulting in the Chargers getting the ball back and making the game-winning kick three plays later. Ekeler has found the end zone 10 times in his last five games heading into a Week 10 matchup with the 49ers.

Ekeler (abdomen) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons after practicingfully Friday.

Ekeler was added to the Chargers' Week 9 injury report after logging a limited practice Thursday, but he's good to go for Sunday's contest after returning to a full session Friday. With top WRs Keenan Allen (hamstring) and Mike Williams (ankle) both having been ruled out, Ekeler once again figures to remain a focal point in his team's offense this weekend. In his last outing, the running back ended up carrying the ball nine times for 31 yards and a TD, while catching all 12 of his targets for 96 yards and a receiving score in a Week 7 loss to the Seahawks.

Ekeler (abdomen) was limited at practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler practiced fully Wednesday, so his addition to the Chargers' Week 9 injury report Thursday is notable. Friday's final report will clarify whether the team's top running back approaches Sunday's game against the Falcons with an injury designation or fully cleared to play.

Ekeler carried the ball nine times for 31 yards and a touchdown and caught all 12 of his targets for 96 yards and a second TD in Sunday's 37-23 loss to the Seahawks.

The running back did his best to keep the Chargers in the game after they faced a 17-0 deficit coming out of the first quarter, and Ekeler wound up leading the team in receptions, targets and receiving yards due to multiple injuries among the wideouts. He's topped 100 scrimmage yards in three of the last four games, piling up 300 rushing yards, 218 receiving yards and an incredible eight TDs (five rushing, three receiving) over that stretch, but Ekeler will be able to take a breather during Los Angeles' Week 8 bye.

Ekeler carried the ball 14 times for 36 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 19-16 win over the Broncos. He added 10 receptions on 16 targets for 47 yards.

Ekeler continued to serve as the most significant part of the Chargers' offense, as he led the team in targets, receptions and carries. Despite the opportunity, he was largely held in check from an efficiency perspective, as he posted only one gain of double-digit yards across his 24 total touches. However, volume alone was enough for Ekeler to end up with a productive stat line, and his six-yard touchdown rush also helped. Ekeler now has at least one touchdown in three consecutive games, though this marked only the second time on the season that he topped 20 total touches.

Ekeler carried the ball 16 times for 173 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-28 win over the Browns. He also caught all four of his targets for 26 yards and an additional score.

The Chargers gashed the Browns run defense to the tune of 238 total yards with Ekeler once again putting together a monster performance, setting a career high in rushing yards in the win. After starting the season off slow Ekeler now has 223 rushing yards and 75 receiving yards to go along with five touchdowns over the past two weeks. Expect a bit more difficult running lanes in a pivotal AFC West battle against the Broncos next week.

Ekeler carried the ball 13 times for 60 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 34-24 win over the Texans. He added six receptions on seven targets for 49 yards and a touchdown.

Ekeler had largely been bottled up on the ground through the first three games of the season, but he exploded for a big performance both on the ground and as a receiver. He tallied both of his rushing scores prior to halftime, punching the ball in from 10 and 20 yards, respectively. Sony Michel got expanded work on the ground in the second half as the Chargers tried to run out the clock, but Ekeler did clinch the victory with a 14-yard receiving score toward the end of the fourth quarter. While he has been inconsistent as a rusher, Ekeler has at least six receptions and 48 yards in each of his last three games.

Ekeler carried the ball just four times for five yards and caught all eight of his targets for 48 yards in Sunday's 38-10 thrashing at the hands of the Jaguars.

The Chargers attempted just 11 designed runs as consecutive turnovers to begin the second quarter completely threw out the typical game plan. Sunday marked the first time since 2019 that Ekeler saw fewer than five carries in a game in which he was healthy throughout. It's hard to imagine such imbalance in future weeks, but it's clear the Chargers have focused on giving the star running back less carries in an effort to save him throughout the season. More opportunities both on the ground and through the air should be available in a Week 4 matchup against the Texans.

Ekeler tallied 14 carries for 39 yards and also registered nine receptions (10 targets) for 55 yards in Thursday's 27-24 loss.

Ekeler tallied four of his nine receptions on the team's final drive in what ended up being a toothless attempt at a double-digit comeback. Much like the Week 1 win over the Raiders, the Chargers once again opted to diversify the backfield carries with Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel each seeing four attempts apiece. While the backfield workload has been predictably split, Ekeler has seen a dramatic reduction in red-zone opportunities after scoring 20 touchdowns in 2021. It's also worth monitoring the status of the Chargers' offensive line as both right tackle Trey Pipkins (ankle) and All-Pro center Corey Linsley (knee) were forced out of Thursday's game due to their respective injuries. The team, who also saw star quarterback Justin Herbert labor through the later stages of the fourth quarter with an apparent rib injury, will relish in the extra days off before taking on the Jaguars on Sept. 25.

Ekeler tallied 14 carries for 36 yards and also corralled four receptions for 36 yards in Sunday's 24-19 win over the Raiders.

The veteran running back registered the bulk of the opportunities out of the backfield, but he wasn't able to make much headway in what was a difficult matchup overall on the ground. Perhaps more crucially for fantasy managers, no one behind Ekeler on the backfield depth chart did much of anything in this contest either as both Joshua Kelley (six touches, 35 yards) and Sony Michel (seven carries, 12 yards) were stymied. Expect Ekeler to rebound against a shaky Chiefs defense next week.

Ekeler, who logged 1,558 all-purpose yards and 20 total TDs in 16 games last season, remains firmly atop the Chargers' RB depth chart as training camp approaches, per Lindsey Thiry of ESPN and Daniel Popper of The Athletic.

As long as the 27-year-old remains healthy, he'll continue to log enough touches to remain a valuable fantasy asset, especially given his usage as a pass-catcher out of the Chargers' backfield. With Justin Jackson no longer on the roster, Isaiah Spiller, Larry Rountree and Joshua Kelley are in the mix to handle complementary work, and though the team's No. 2 role hasn't been handed to Spiller, it's one that the 2022 fourth-rounder has a solid chance to claim. If so, he'd be the player to target in the event that Ekeler misses any time this coming season.

Ekeler registered 16 carries for 64 yards and also caught five of his 12 targets for 35 yards to go along with two total touchdowns in Sunday's 35-32 overtime loss to the Raiders.

Ekeler ultimately tied the Colts' Jonathan Taylor for the most total touchdowns this season despite playing one fewer game as the dynamic running back asserted himself as one of the premier red-zone specialists in the NFL and answered his critics by remaining mostly healthy despite a massive increase in workload. The fifth-year running back did fall short of his lofty projections in terms of receptions, but that's in large part because Ekeler was forced to take on far more carries than anticipated. The Chargers are expected to aggressively target a complimentary back to Ekeler this offseason either through the draft or free agency, but after a career year nearly across the board in his first year in Joe Lombardi's system, it's hard to imagine the genie getting put back in the bottle.

Ekeler (illness) tallied 17 carries for 58 yards and one touchdown to go along with three receptions for 54 yards in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Broncos.

A week after testing positive for COVID-19 and subsequently missing the demoralizing loss to the Texans, Ekeler came right back and continued to build upon his touchdown streak extending his consecutive games-scored total to four. The emergence of Justin Jackson (60 total yards on 15 touches) should help the dynamic jack-of-all trades running back get a bit of rest throughout the game, but expect Ekeler to remain arguably the Chargers' top weapon in the red zone.

Ekeler has been activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list, per the NFL's official transaction report.

With Ekeler back in the mix and in line to reclaim his starting running back duties, look for Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley to revert to their usual complementary roles when the Chargers face the Broncos on Sunday.

Ekeler announced on Instagram that he tested positive for COVID-19 again Saturday and won't play Sunday against the Texans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Until Ekeler, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, is able to clear COVID protocols, Justin Jackson is poised to head the Chargers' backfield, with Joshua Kelley a candidate for added touches and Larry Rountree likely to be active in a depth role against Houston.

Ekeler (illness) acknowledged earlier this week during his weekly appearance on Yahoo Sports' "Ekeler's Edge" fantasy football show that his chances of returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to Sunday's game against the Texans aren't "looking good." "Just dealing with this day to day, you know, we have new protocols in place, I had to get tested every day and have two negative tests, no symptoms," Ekeler said, recounting his experience since testing positive for the virus earlier this week. "And so

If vaccinated, Ekeler is eligible to play so long as he clears league protocols, but based on his comments on his situation to this point, he's preparing as though he won't be able to go Week 16. In his interview with Yahoo Sports' Liz Loza, Ekeler went as far as recommending that fantasy managers pick up his backup, Justin Jackson, who will likely be primed for a larger workload in the event Ekeler sits. Joshua Kelley also looms as a depth option out of the Los Angeles backfield and should have a role in the game plan if Ekeler sits out for the first time this season. It's worth noting that as of Friday, coach Brandon Staley said everyone on the Chargers' COVID-19 list still has a chance to play Sunday, aside from Joey Bosa and Kemon Hall, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Ekeler (undisclosed) has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston report.

There had been reports earlier in the week suggesting that Ekeler was headed to the list, however it wasn't until Wednesday that the move was reported on the NFL transaction wire. If Ekeler isn't cleared prior to Sunday's game against the Texans, Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley would be next up for the Chargers' Week 16 carries.

Ekeler (undisclosed) wasn't spotted at practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler also wasn't seen at Monday's session, with either the Chargers' upcoming injury report and/or the official NFL transaction report likely to add some clarity regarding the running back's absence. At this stage, Ekeler is not among the players listed on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list.

Updating an earlier report, while Ekeler (undisclosed) wasn't at practice Monday, the running back was not among the Chargers placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic.

A previous report indicated that Ekeler was headed to the list, but his name didn't appear on Monday's initial NFL transaction report. In any case, while it doesn't appear that such a move was officially made, Ekeler's status is nonetheless worth monitoring closely, given his absence from practice.

The Chargers will place Ekeler (undisclosed) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler was one of several Chargers who landed on the COVID-19 list Monday, although it's not yet clear whether the running back has tested positive for the virus. His status for Sunday's game against the Texans remains to be seen, but Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley should see increased playing time if Ekeler is unavailable.

Ekeler (ankle) carried the ball 12 times for 59 yards and a score in Thursday's 34-28 loss to the Chiefs. He also caught all four of his targets for 23 yards.

In what amounted to a critical divisional matchup with AFC West supremacy essentially on the line, the Chargers' bizarre choice to not feature Ekeler in the red zone at critical junctures will go down as one of the more baffling decisions of the season. It's hard to view the backfield breakdown, which saw both Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley combine for 20 carries, as anything but an indictment on Ekeler's injured ankle considering the Pro Bowler was considered a game-time decision entering Thursday's contest. While the expectation was Ekeler wouldn't see a full workload, few could have imagined the team would give critical goal-line carries to the aforementioned backups and the Chargers predictably failed to convert three separate times within the five-yard line throughout the game with Kelley's third-and-one fumble from the one-yard line early in the fourth quarter standing out as an egregious mistake. That red-zone usage will be important with a seemingly juicy matchup against the Texans on tap next week.

Ekeler (ankle) is listed as active for Thursday night's game against Kansas City, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Chargers' lead back will give it a go Thursday, though Taylor Bisciotti of NFL Network previously suggested that Ekeler may not handle his normal workload level, though we'd imagine he'll still get a share of touches versus Kansas City, in the absence of any in-game setbacks. Also in the team's Week 15 backfield mix are Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley, who could mix in more than usual, as Ekeler works through his ankle issue.

Ekeler (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Chiefs, is expected to play, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The Chargers won't decide on Ekeler's status until after evaluating him in a pregame workout, but barring a setback, he'll avoid the inactive list and start at running back as he usually does. However, Taylor Bisciotti of NFL Network, citing a source, has been told that Ekeler won't handle a full workload, so reserve backs Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree could be in store for more snaps than usual. Even if that's the case, Ekeler is still the odds-on favorite to lead the group in snaps and touches, so fantasy managers outside of the shallowest of leagues shouldn't have too many reservations about including him in weekly lineups.

In reference to Ekeler (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Thursday night's contest against Kansas City, coach Brandon Staley noted Wednesday that "Austin is just sore, but we're going to make sure before the game that he's feeling OK," Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Ekeler thus heads into Week 15 action viewed as a game-time decision, but in the wake of back-to-back listed limited practice sessions Tuesday and Wednesday, it would probably take a pre-game setback for the Chargers' top running back to land on the inactive list for Thursday night's 8:20 ET contest.

Ekeler (ankle) is slated to work out prior to Thursday night's game against Kansas City before a determination is made on his playing status for the contest, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The same applies to safety Derwin James (hamstring) and cornerback Asante Samuel (concussion), though Ekeler's presence at practice Tuesday and Wednesday would appear to bode well for his chances of suiting up for Thursday night's 8:20 ET contest. Next up for the Chargers' carries if Ekeler is limited or out are Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and possibly Larry Rountree.

Ekeler (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game against Kansas City.

After being listed as a non-participant Monday, Ekeler was limited Tuesday and then participated in practice Wednesday. Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times previously relayed via coach Brandon Staley that Ekeler could have returned to this past Sunday's game, if necessary, so we'd imagine that the running back is trending toward active status in Week 15. Either way, his availability will be confirmed approximately 90 minutes before Thursday night's 8:20 ET kickoff.

Ekeler (ankle) is practicing Wednesday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Ekeler was held out Monday and limited Tuesday, with the Chargers hoping he'll be able to play Thursday night against the Chiefs. Wideout Mike Williams (heel) and tight end Jared Cook (quad) also are practicing Wednesday, potentially giving QB Justin Herbert a healthy group of pass catchers for the highly anticipated AFC West matchup.

Ekeler (ankle) was limited at Tuesday's walkthrough.

One day removed from being estimated as a non-participant on the Chargers' initial practice report of Week 15, Ekeler managed some activity as the team gears up for Thursday's divisional showdown with the Chiefs. He appears to be trending in the right direction after getting forced out of the team's Week 14 win versus the Giants with an ankle injury that coach Brandon Staley considered to be "nothing major" Monday, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Still, though, Ekeler's status is one to monitor considering his standing L.A.'s offense. Aside from Ekeler, the team's backfield is composed of Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree.

Ekeler (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

That said, coach Brandon Staley has indicated that Ekeler's ankle issue is "nothing major" and that the the Chargers' top back is expected back at practice in advance of Thursday night's game against Kansas City.

Ekeler (ankle) is expected to be fine moving forward and coach Brandon Staley said after Sunday's 37-21 win over the Giants that Ekeler could have returned to the game if necessary, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ekeler exited in the third quarter, and the Chargers didn't see a need to push him with the game well in hand. Staley's post-game comments suggest the star running back is unlikely to miss additional time, but Ekeler's participation in practice leading up to Thursday's game against the Chiefs will still bear monitoring, as the short week falls at an inconvenient time for the banged-up Ekeler. Fellow running backs Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley saw a near-even split in opportunities against the Giants, with 42 scrimmage yards on 10 touches and 38 yards on 11 touches, respectively.

Ekeler exited Sunday's contest against the Giants due to an ankle injury.

Ekeler picked up the injury midway through the third quarter during a three-yard run. Per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Chargers trainers worked on Ekeler's left ankle before helping him off the field. After receiving a heavy tape job and testing it out on the sideline, the team determined the running back to be questionable to return. If he doesn't get back in the game, Ekeler will finish Week 14 with 12 carries for 68 yards and one touchdown and two catches (on four targets) for 17 yards. With Larry Rountree a healthy scratch Sunday, L.A. is left with Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley out of the backfield.

Ekeler (ankle) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Giants after practicing fully Friday.

Ekeler is thus is line to continue to serve as the Chargers' clear-cut top back this weekend, a fantasy-friendly role that through 12 games has resulted in him scoring 15 total TDs, while averaging 12.4 carries for 55.3 yards and 4.7 catches for 43.2 yards per contest. He figures to remain busy against New York on Sunday, especially with PPR ace Keenan Allen (reserve/COVID-19 list) slated to be out this weekend.

Ekeler (ankle) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Though Ekeler has logged back-to-back limited practice sessions, so far there's been nothing to suggest that he's in much danger of missing Sunday's game against the Giants. Friday's final injury report will reveal whether the Chargers' lead back heads into the weekend with an injury designation or fully cleared for Week 14 action.

Ekeler (ankle) was limited at practice Wednesday.

Per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Ekeler emerged from Week 13 action dealing with "bumps and bruises," according to coach Brandon Staley. Wednesday's injury report indicates that the running back's ankle is the specific concern in play, but the fact that he practiced, albeit in a limited fashion, suggests that he has a chance to remain in the lineup this weekend against the Giants, a notion that would be solidified by Ekeler participating in Thursday's session as well.

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Ekeler is dealing with "bumps and bruises" following Sunday's 41-22 win over the Bengals, but the running back is expected to practice during the upcoming week, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Fantasy managers will still want to check back in on Ekeler to make sure he's back on the field Wednesday for the start of Week 14 prep. Since Staley didn't specifically say that Ekeler was dealing with an injury, the 26-year-old will most likely be ready to handle his normal workload by the time this weekend's game against the Giants arrives. Ekeler carried 14 times for 59 yards and a touchdown and recorded five receptions for 45 yards on five targets in the victory over Cincinnati.

Ekeler carried the ball 14 times for 59 yards and a touchdown and caught all five of his targets for 45 yards in Sunday's 41-22 win over the Bengals. He also lost two fumbles.

Ekeler uncharacteristically fumbled twice, losing control of the ball immediately after securing receptions in both the second and third quarter. Those miscues lessened what should have been another stellar fantasy day considering the multi-talented back scored a touchdown in his fourth consecutive game. Ekeler has admitted this season's additional workload has been challenging, but with the Chargers struggling to find any sort of reliable change-of-pace option, expect the 26-year-old to continue shouldering the heavy majority of the load out of the backfield.

Ekeler tallied 12 carries for 31 yards and caught six of his eight targets for 68 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Broncos.

Ekeler has now scored a touchdown in seven of the last nine games and has seven receiving scores in that span, primarily in the red zone. It wasn't all great news for Ekeler, however, as the talented running back was held under four yards per carry for just the second time since October as the Chargers fell into a pass-heavy game script. It's been a career year for the dynamic dual threat in just about every single facet and with a favorable schedule down the stretch, expect Ekeler to continue to pile up the numbers.

Ekeler carried the ball 11 times for 50 yards and also caught six of his seven targets for 65 yards to go along with four total touchdowns in Sunday's 41-37 win over the Steelers.

Ekeler's massive day came courtesy of essentially being the sole focus in the red zone with each of his four touchdowns coming within 20 yards of paydirt. The dynamic scatback now has an impressive 13 combined touchdowns in just 10 games, just one off his combined touchdown total from each of the past two seasons. While Ekeler has less than 20 combined touches in four of the last five games, the heavy red-zone emphasis has certainly been an unexpected boon for fantasy managers.

Ekeler carried the ball 11 times for 44 yards and caught three of six targets for 15 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Vikings.

The fifth-year back has failed to reach 100 scrimmage yards three times in the last four contests, but Ekeler continues to supply fantasy value thanks to his nose for the end zone -- he has nine TDs (five rushing, four receiving) in nine games on the season. Ekeler faces a potentially tough matchup in Week 11 against the Steelers.

Ekeler carried the ball 17 times for 59 yards and caught all three of his targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Eagles.

While he managed a solid yardage total, the performance counts as a disappointing one for Ekeler as it's only the second time this season he's been both held below 100 scrimmage yards and kept out of the end zone in a game. The 26-year-old running back has caught at least three passes in seven straight contests, a streak he seems likely to extend in Week 10 against the Vikings.

Ekeler (hip) carried the ball 11 times for 64 yards and a touchdown and also caught six of his 10 targets for 60 yards in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Patriots.

Despite appearing on the injury report late in the week with a hip injury and eventually earning a questionable designation for Sunday's contest, Ekeler was a critical factor of a disjointed offense that was plagued by miscommunication. The end result saw the dynamic tailback tally his third straight game with at least four receptions and 40 receiving yards, and his fourth total game this season with at least 50 rushing and receiving yards. The 27-year-old is easily on pace to set a career high in both attempts and rushing yards, but the extra rushing workload coupled with a bigger focus on receiver Mike Williams has marginally whittled into Ekeler's receiving workload. Expect another strong day for the star running back when the Chargers take on the susceptible linebacking corps of the Eagles next week.

Ekeler (hip) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

There had been concern regarding Ekeler's Week 8 status after he missed practice both Thursday and Friday, but coach Brandon Staley's comments following Friday's session suggested that the Chargers were hopeful they'd have their top back available Sunday, a notion that was reinforced by subsequent reports. Now that he's confirmed as active versus New England, Ekeler is in line to continue to head the Chargers backfield in the absence of any setbacks, with Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree on hand to work in complementary roles.

Ekeler (hip) confirmed Saturday that he'll suit up Sunday against the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ekeler remains officially listed as questionable due to a hip injury that cost him practice time during the week, but the running back himself seems confident in his health. That's not quite as definitive as the official word from the team would be, as players often overestimate their own health, but his prognosis seems to be quite good.

Coach Brandon Staley relayed Friday that he's hopeful Ekeler (hip) will be able to play Sunday against the Patriots.

Staley noted that Ekeler felt a little bit sore after a strong effort at Wednesday's practice, so the Chargers held the running back out of the team's past two sessions. On the plus side, Staley indicated that Ekeler is feeling better at this stage. While that sounds promising, for now we'll consider Ekeler -- who is officially listed as questionable -- as a game-day call in advance of Sunday's 4:05 ET kickoff. If he's limited or out versus New England, added Week 8 backfield touches would be available for Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree.

Ekeler (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots after missing practice both Thursday and Friday.

We'll look for added clarity with regard to Ekeler's status as the Chargers' 4:05 ET kickoff approaches, and ideally NFL insiders such as Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport will have added context to report by late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. If Ekeler ends up out or limited versus New England, Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree would be in line for added Week 8 backfield opportunities.

Ekeler (hip) remained sidelined at practice Friday, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ekeler was added to the Chargers' Week 8 injury report Thursday after missing practice and his absence from Friday's session clouds his status for Sunday's game against the Patriots. The team's upcoming injury report will reveal the running back's official injury designation, but if if Ekeler ends up out or limited this weekend, Joshua Kelley, Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree would be in line for added backfield touches.

Ekeler didn't practice Thursday due to a hip issue.

Ekeler, who wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, was the only Charger not to practice Thursday, so his status is now worth monitoring closely as Sunday's 4:05 ET game against the Patriots approaches. Next up for the team's backfield touches should Ekeler be out or limited this weekend are Joshua Kelley, Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree.

Ekeler rushed six times for seven yards and caught four of seven targets for 48 yards in Sunday's 34-6 loss to Baltimore.

The Ravens managed to keep Ekeler and the rest of the Chargers in check, as Justin Herbert failed to reach 200 passing yards and no running back rushed for more than seven. Los Angeles' upcoming Week 7 bye will give Ekeler and company a chance to regroup, and the diminutive yet powerful running back should bounce back afterwards given his substantial role as both a rusher and a pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Ekeler rushed 15 times for 117 yards and a touchdown, and caught three of five targets for 28 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's 28-14 win over the Raiders.

Ekeler's dynamic, dual-threat ability was on display, as he ran well between the tackles, showed shiftiness in the open field and caught the ball out of the backfield. The veteran's first score came on a 14-yard wheel route in the second quarter, then Ekeler powered his way to an 11-yard touchdown rush in the fourth. The versatile tailback has now topped 100 scrimmage yards in three straight games, with Monday's performance comfortably marking his best of the campaign thus far. With four TDs in four contests to boot, Ekeler rides excellent form into an enticing early-season matchup against the Browns in Week 5.

Ekeler carried the ball 11 times for 55 yards and also caught all six of his targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Chiefs.

The dynamic back has either eclipsed 100 total yards or scored a touchdown in every game this season. After a Week 1 outing which saw Ekeler fail to see a target, the 26-year-old now has 15 targets in the last two weeks combined. Perhaps even more encouraging for fantasy managers, Ekeler didn't even have passes schemed his way, instead crafting yardage out of repeated checkdowns from Justin Herbert. The Chargers are averaging 42 pass attempts thus far this season which means Ekeler should have a relatively safe floor in PPR formats most weeks and likely could have some bigger games if emerging wideout Mike Williams becomes less efficient with his red-zone targets.

Ekeler recorded nine carries for 54 yards and also caught all nine of his targets for 61 yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Cowboys.

It wasn't exactly a healthy workload on the ground, but Ekeler did manage to outcarry Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree by a combined nine to five margin. It was encouraging to see the talented pass catcher get involved through the passing game, picking up a critical 20-yard catch down the left sideline that sent Ekeler to the injury tent before emerging later in the contest. The 26-year-old hasn't exactly been the type of featured back some assumed would occur in the Joe Lombardi system, but he's been a comfortably productive asset in an explosive offense to start the season and should see more opportunities in better matchups to come.

Ekeler (hamstring) carried the ball 15 times for 57 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-16 win over Washington.

Notably Ekeler wasn't even targeted in this contest as quarterback Justin Herbert rarely saw enough pressure to force any checkdowns. Considering the running back was listed as questionable heading into Sunday's contest after a midweek hamstring injury, fantasy managers still have to be happy with Ekeler's explosiveness, particularly after contact. The Chargers notably used a plethora of two-back sets with Larry Rountree mixing into the rotation so any hopes of Ekeler having a monopoly on the backfield opportunities predictably were dashed, but it seemed incredibly unlikely such a situation would occur anyway under new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. Expect more production next week against a Cowboys defense that was picked apart Week 1.

Ekeler (hamstring) is listed as active for Sunday's game against Washington.

After missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, Ekeler looked good upon his return to the field Friday and he'll give it a go Sunday, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network indicating that the running back should be full-go versus Washington. In the process, Ekeler is in line to head to the Chargers' ground game in Week 1, with Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree on hand to work in complementary/change-of-pace roles.

Ekeler (hamstring) is on track to suit up Sunday against Washington, barring any pre-game setbacks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Though Ekeler missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, he looked good in his return Friday and is trending toward being able to go in Week 1. Confirmation of the status of the Chargers' top back will arrive before the first wave of games Sunday, with the team kicking off at 1:00 ET.

Coach Brandon Staley noted Friday that he's optimistic Ekeler (hamstring) will play in Sunday's season opener against Washington, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler's return to practice in a limited fashion Friday initially offered hope that he'd have a chance to suit up this weekend after not practicing Wednesday or Thursday. Now things are looking up even more, after Staley relayed that the running back "looked good out there" during the team's final practice session of the week. With that, Ekeler appears to be heading in the right direction as Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff approaches.

Ekeler (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's season opener against Washington after returning to a limited practice Friday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

We'll look for added context with regard Ekeler's Week 1 status leading up to the contest, but fortunately for those considering the running back in fantasy lineups, the Chargers kick off at 1:00 ET on Sunday. In the event that he's limited or out this weekend, Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree are next up for the team's backfield touches.

Ekeler (hamstring) participated in the media-access portion of Friday's practice, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Ekeler logged back-to-back DNPs to start the week, so his presence on the field Friday is encouraging. The Chargers' final Week 1 injury report will reveal the running back's participation level as well what, if any, injury designation he will carry into Sunday's season opener against Washington.

Ekeler (hamstring) was officially listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Back-to-back DNPs set the stage for Friday's practice to be pivotal with regard to Ekeler's chances of suiting up for Sunday's game against Washington. If the Chargers' top back is limited or out this weekend, added opportunities would be available for some combo of Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree.

Though Ekeler (hamstring) suited up for practice Thursday, he didn't participate in individual drills during the media-access portion of the session, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Ekeler was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, so his presence on the field Thursday appears to support the notion that his hamstring issue isn't a major concern. That said, added context (specifically, the running back's official participation level) regarding his Week 1 status will arrive once the Chargers' second injury report of the week is submitted.

The Chargers are optimistic that Ekeler's hamstring injury won't prevent him from playing in Sunday's season opener at Washington, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.

Ekeler made a surprise appearance on the Chargers' first official injury report of 2021, as the hamstring injury resulted in him working out on the side with triners at Wednesday's practice rather than taking part in team drills. Based on Kyed's report, the Chargers' decision to hold Ekeler out of practice may have been precautionary to some degree, though the fact that the running back missed six games in 2020 due to the same injury isn't the most encouraging sign. Ultimately, the extent of Ekeler's activity in the Chargers' remaining two practices of the week Thursday and Friday and how he looks in those sessions will determine whether he carries a designation into Sunday's game.

Ekeler was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring issue, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

While it's not an optimal way for the Chargers' top back to start the week, he still has two more chances to return to practice in advance of Sunday's game versus Washington. If Ekeler is out or limited this weekend, added opportunities would be available for some combo of Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree.

Ekeler (undisclosed) worked off to the side with trainers during the open portion of Wednesday's practice, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Further context with regard to Ekeler's status will arrive once the Chargers submit their official practice/injury report later Wednesday. Added reps will be available for fellow running backs Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree for any amount of practice time Ekeler misses.

Coach Brandon Staley said Ekeler and other key starters won't play this preseason, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Among those named on the offensive side of the ball were Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen, meaning we won't see the Chargers' first-team offense intact until Week 1. The decision is an interesting one, as Staley clearly isn't comfortable getting to the regular season with one of the trio in street clothes. When it comes to Ekeler in particular, he missed six games during the 2020 campaign due to lower-body injuries, but he still accumulated 933 yards from scrimmage and three TDs on 170 touches in 10 appearances.

Ekeler could in position for a massive season in offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's system, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Considering the type of player Alvin Kamara developed into under coach Lombardi's system in New Orleans, it's entirely possible the ultra-versatile Ekeler could be an even more prominent weapon, especially if the team opts to motion the running back out wide more often (Kamara finished the 2020 season with the second-most outside WR snaps of any RB, and fourth-most slot snaps). A Grade 2 hamstring strain ultimately cost Ekeler six games last season, but even before the injury Ekeler was far short of the pass-catching pace he set the year prior with Philip Rivers under center. Should Ekeler stay healthy for a full season, it's entirely possible the 26-year-old could threaten all-time receiving records for running backs making him an extremely valuable high-upside selection, particularly in leagues which award points per-reception.

Ekeler won't return to Sunday's game at Kansas City due to a concussion.

Ekeler took a hit to the helmet near the end of the first half, which resulted in a concussion and an end to his fourth year as a pro. He previously sat out Weeks 5 through 11 due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain and a hyperextended knee. Despite making just 10 appearances this season, Ekeler averaged 4.6 YPC en route to 530 yards on the ground, hauled in 54 of 66 targets for 403 yards and scored three touchdowns. Per 16 games, his line equates to 1,493 yards from scrimmage and 4.8 TDs, so he should be a top-notch RB option once the 2021 campaign rolls around.

Ekeler carried the ball 10 times for 45 yards and caught all three of his targets for 23 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 19-16 win over the Broncos.

He accounted for the Chargers' only TD of the afternoon in the second quarter on a nine-yard toss from Justin Herbert, helping the quarterback set a new NFL rookie record for touchdown passes in a season. Despite the score -- his first since returning to action in Week 12 -- Ekeler otherwise had his second straight fairly quiet performance, and he's only seen seven targets over the last two games combined, limiting his production. He'll look to finish the season on a high note in Week 17 against a Kansas City defense that could be resting key personnel after clinching the AFC's No. 1 seed.

Ekeler (quadriceps) rushed 13 times for 60 yards and secured all four targets for 19 yards in the Chargers' 30-27 overtime win over the Raiders on Thursday night.

Ekeler still paced the Chargers backfield in rushing despite entering the game nursing the quadriceps injury, although he frequently had trouble finding running room against a Raiders defense that limited him to 33 yards on 12 carries outside of his game-high 27-yard rush. Ekeler also made his usual solid contributions through the air, recording multiple receptions for the fourth time in as many games since returning from a stint on injured reserve. However, it's worth noting Ekeler's single-game workload on the ground has been capped at 19 carries this season -- a figure he reached back in Week 1 -- and with Kalen Ballage and Justin Jackson serving as proven depth behind him, that trend may continue during a Week 16 divisional battle versus the Broncos on Sunday, Dec. 27.

Ekeler (quad) is listed as active for Thursday night's game against the Raiders.

Assuming no in-game setbacks, Ekeler is in line to continue to head the Los Angeles backfield Thursday, with Kalen Ballage and Joshua Kelley in reserve. In the team's 20-17 win over the Falcons this past Sunday, Ekeler logged 15 carries for 79 yards and caught all nine of his targets for 67 yards. With the Chargers' wideout corps banged up Thursday, look for Ekeler to continue to provide fantasy value in Week 15, thanks to his utility as a pass-catcher.

Ekeler (quad) is expected to play Thursday night against the Raiders, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The report adds that wideouts Keenan Allen (hamstring) and Mike Williams (back) are viewed as game-time decisions for the contest. Either way, Ekeler's status will be confirmed upon the release of the Chargers' inactives prior to Thursday's 8:20 ET kickoff. Assuming he suits up, Ekeler would be in line to continue to head the team's Week 15 backfield, with Kalen Ballage and Justin Jackson in reserve.

Ekeler (quad) is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game against the Raiders after being listed as limited on Tuesday and Wednesday's practice reports, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

The same applies to wideouts Keenan Allen (hamstring) and Mike Williams (back), with the trio's Week 15 status slated to be confirmed upon the release of the Chargers' inactives prior to Thursday's 8:20 ET kickoff. While it would surprise us if Ekeler didn't play, if he ends up limited or out, Kalen Ballage and Justin Jackson would be next up for the team's carries.

Ekeler (quadricep) was limited on Tuesday's estimated injury report.

The Chargers have yet to hold practice this week, but Ekeler's upgrade from DNP on Monday to LP on Tuesday bodes well for his availability for Week 15. Wednesday's injury report will reveal whether he's clear of his hamstring issue or has a designation ahead of Thursday's contest at Las Vegas.

Ekeler (quad) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate.

Ekeler was one of 12 players listed as "DNP" by the Chargers on Monday's estimate, so it won't be until the team takes the field for a standard practice that we'll get a handle on which players are in any danger of missing Thursday night's game against the Raiders. Ekeler logged 44 of a possible 73 snaps on offense in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Falcons, en route to carrying 15 times for 79 yards and catching all nine of his targets for 67 yards. Next up for backfield touches if he's limited at all or out in Week 15 are Kalen Ballage and Justin Jackson.

Ekeler carried the ball 15 times for 79 yards and also caught all nine of his targets for 67 yards in the 20-17 win Sunday over the Falcons.

The Chargers relied heavily on a variety of different screens fairly early in the contest allowing Ekeler to rack up the targets. A mundane offensive approach didn't really corral the speedy back, but it definitely hampered the team's ability to score as the Chargers were in the red zone just twice all afternoon. Since returning from a six-game absence, Ekeler has immediately returned to his featured role with Kalen Ballage essentially operating as the obvious run-only spell back. Expect more of the same in another juicy matchup, this time against the porous Raiders defense.

Ekeler carried eight times for 36 yards and caught four of nine targets for 32 yards during Sunday's 45-0 loss to the Patriots.

Ekeler averaged a respectable 4.5 yards per carry but saw his carries limited by the surprising blowout nature of the game. Although he tied for second on the team in targets, he hauled in less than half the balls thrown his way and saw his output limited in that regard as well. Ekeler was coming off an excellent performance in his previous outing and will look to bounce back next Sunday in what could be a high-scoring game against the Falcons.

Ekeler (hamstring) carried the ball 14 times for 44 yards and also caught 11 of his 16 targets for 85 yards in the 27-17 loss Sunday to the Bills.

It quickly became apparent the pre-game report suggesting Ekeler would not be the team's bell-cow was misdirection, as the talented back was the main catalyst on the team's first scoring drive of the game. It's hard to imagine the Chargers planned to give Ekeler a whopping 16 targets in his first game back after a nearly two month absence, but an early deficit essentially forced a pass-heavy game script for most of the contest. A seven-carry advantage over backup Joshua Kelley mimicked the type of split the Chargers deployed earlier in the season, so it's safe to say Ekeler is back to being one of the top fantasy running backs, especially in PPR leagues.

Ekeler (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Bills, but the Chargers aren't planning on him filling a bell-cow role while he dresses for the first time since Week 4, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Though Ekeler is believed to be fully healthy again after missing two months with the serious hamstring injury, he only resumed practicing with the Chargers this week. With that in mind, the Chargers may be inclined to take a cautious approach with the 25-year-old, who played 65.1 percent of the team's offensive snaps and averaged 21 touches over his first three outings of the season before getting hurt. Top backup Kalen Ballage (ankle/calf) is inactive Sunday, so Joshua Kelley or Troymaine Pope will be the candidates to rotate in whenever Ekeler requires a breather. Ekeler should still see a robust enough workload to make for a reasonable starting options in most fantasy leagues.

Ekeler (hamstring) will play in Sunday's game against the Bills after being activated from injured reserve, but the Chargers aren't expecting him to fill a bell-cow role in his first game since Week 4, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Though Ekeler is believed to be fully healthy again after missing two months with the serious hamstring injury, he only resumed practicing with the Chargers this week. With that in mind, the Chargers may be inclined to take a cautious approach with the 25-year-old, who played 65.1 percent of the team's offensive snaps and averaged 21 touches over his first three outings of the season before getting hurt. Top backup Kalen Ballage (ankle/calf) is viewed as game-time decision for Sunday, so Joshua Kelley or Troymaine Pope would be next in line to rotate in behind Ekeler if Ballage can't go.

Ekeler (hamstring) was activated off injured reserve Saturday.

This is an incredibly encouraging development, however coach Anthony Lynn hasn't exactly been adamant Ekeler would play even if he was activated. Perhaps accelerating the timeline is the status of Kalen Ballage (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game, but only managed to practice in limited fashion at any point throughout the week. Expect more clarity regarding Ekeler's playing time to emerge sometime in the lead up to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Coach Anthony Lynn said Ekeler (hamstring) has "a chance" to be activated from injured reserve before Sunday's game at Buffalo, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

The Chargers opened Ekeler's 21-day practice window this week, indicating he was close to completing his recovery from a left hamstring injury suffered Week 4. He's missed six games as a result, and the team will need to make a decision on whether or not he'll miss a seventh by Saturday afternoon. Even if he's able to play Sunday, it'll be interesting to see the breakdown of reps out of the backfield. Kalen Ballage (ankle) is questionable for the contest, so Ekeler has a chance to retake the No. 1 role right away if L.A. deems him to be ready for such a workload.

Ekeler (hamstring) will practice Wednesday, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Once Ekeler hits the practice field, the Chargers will have a 21-day window to place the running back on their active roster. Though his imminent return to work is a positive development, coach Anthony Lynn isn't sure at this stage if Ekeler will suit up Sunday against the Bills. With Justin Jackson (knee) on IR, Kalen Ballage has headed the Chargers' ground game of late.

The Chargers will designate Ekeler (hamstring) to return from injured reserve this week, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Ekeler has been on injured reserve since suffering a severe hamstring injury in Week 4 against the Buccaneers. A return to practice this week means that the 25-year-old running back may be ready to play in this Sunday's game against the Bills, although the team is still being coy about his timeline. His 21-day evaluation window to be activated from IR will begin once Ekeler takes the practice field with his teammates.

Daniel Popper of The Athletic expects Ekeler (hamstring/knee) to return in Week 12.

Ekeler has progressed to straight-line running in his recovery and, barring a setback, could be back in two weeks against the Bills. A Week 12 return would represent an eight-week layoff since the diminutive running back got hurt against the Buccaneers in Week 4. With fellow running back Justin Jackson (knee) also sidelined, Troymaine Pope (neck), Joshua Kelley and practice squad call-up Kalen Ballage should continue to split reps in the Chargers' backfield while Ekeler recovers.

Ekeler (hamstring/knee) has progressed to straight-line running, per the running back's personal Instagram.

Ekeler has been sidelined since suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain and hyperextended knee in his left leg Week 4. Expected to be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks, the latter end of that timetable coincides with this Sunday, but the Chargers have yet to open his 21-day window to be activated from IR. Still, because Ekeler noted "the time draws near" in his social media post, he appears to be closing in on his return to action.

Coach Anthony Lynn said Wednesday that Ekeler (hamstring) will be back "later rather than sooner," Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler remains without an official timetable to return from his hamstring injury, which Lynn called "very serious." The versatile running back will technically be eligible to return from IR as soon as the Chargers' Week 8 matchup in Denver, but Lynn's comments hint that he could be more likely to recover around the latter portion of his estimated four-to-six week rehab period. In the meantime, Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley will continue to spearhead Los Angeles' rushing attack.

Coach Anthony Lynn confirmed Thursday that Ekeler (hamstring) is out for Monday night's game against the Saints, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Lynn added that the Chargers haven't yet decided if Ekeler will be placed on IR, which implies that there's at least some hope that the running back could potentially beat the estimated four-to-six week timetable that was previously reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN. In Ekeler's absence, Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson will head the team's backfield.

Ekeler is expected to be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks due to a hamstring injury and a hyperextended knee, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Ekeler's hamstring issue is a Grade 2 strain. The every-down back will seek a second medical opinion, but at this time it looks like he'll be placed on IR and remain sidelined until at least November. In the meantime, Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson will handle the bulk of Los Angeles' carries.

Ekeler is expected to land on IR after suffering a "serious" hamstring injury during Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Rapoport notes that the Chargers won't finalize any decisions until the full results of Ekeler's medical evaluation have been revealed, but at this point it would be surprising to see the do-it-all running back avoid a multi-game absence. Though Ekeler may need to spend more than the three-week minimum on IR, it looks like he's expected to make a return later during the regular season. In the meantime, Los Angeles will roll with Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson out of the backfield, while Darius Bradwell looks like a likely candidate to be promoted from the practice squad.

Ekeler is slated to miss multiple weeks due to the hamstring injury and hyperextended knee that he suffered during Sunday's 38-31 defeat at Tampa Bay, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

In the wake of a first-quarter hit, Ekeler was in significant pain and couldn't put any weight on his left leg in his attempts to get off the field. He required a cart to get to the locker room and didn't make another appearance, and after the game he needed crutches and was wearing a brace on the leg. Looking ahead, the Chargers play five more games before a Week 10 bye, so there isn't a respite for Ekeler in the immediate future. In the meantime, the team will need to make due with Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson out of the backfield.

When asked about the hamstring injury Ekeler suffered in Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers, coach Anthony Lynn replied "I'm not sure how bad it is, but it looked pretty bad," Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

It's too soon to know how much, if any, further game action Ekeler might miss, but his status for next Monday's contest against the Saints will obviously need to be monitored closely, based on Lynn's post-game comments. Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson are next up for the Chargers' carries if Ekeler is limited or out in Week 5.

Ekeler rushed twice for 12 yards and brought in his one target for two yards in the Chargers' 38-31 loss to the Buccaneers before exiting for good in the first quarter due to a hamstring injury.

The versatile veteran had gotten off to a solid start on the ground before being felled by his left hamstring injury. Given the delicate and unpredictable nature of soft-tissue injuries, Ekeler's availability for a Week 5 Monday night road matchup against the Saints will likely be up in the air for a significant portion of the upcoming week.

Ekeler is questionable to return to Sunday's game in Tampa Bay due to a hamstring injury.

Considering Ekeler couldn't put any weight on his left leg, it's somewhat of a surprise that he may be able to reenter the Chargers' Week 4 contest. Having said that, however long Ekeler is sidelined, some combination of Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson will cover for him out of the backfield.

Ekeler (leg) was carted off the field during Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler was in significant pain and was unable to put any weight on his left leg after taking a first-quarter hit along the Chargers' sideline. The training staff looked at his left foot before taking him to the locker room. In Ekeler's stead, L.A. will count on Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson to man the backfield.

Ekeler carried the ball 12 times for 59 yards and also caught all 11 of his targets for 80 yards in Sunday's 21-16 loss to the Panthers. He also accounted for a touchdown.

It should have been an even better day for Ekeler, but the running back botched a hook-and-ladder attempt which would have resulted in a walk-in, game-winning touchdown. After a Week 1 which saw the star back record just one target, the Chargers have made a concerted effort to include Ekeler in the passing game with 15 targets over the past two weeks. Most of that workload came Sunday with the team trailing from the jump, but the 11 targets weren't simply off of checkdowns or dump-offs, but rather clearly designed screen plays and flare routes. It's fairly clear Ekeler will get the majority of the workload in the event the team is trailing, something that wasn't necessarily confirmed throughout the first two games with Joshua Kelley acting in tandem with Ekeler to begin the season. It might be a bit tougher to pile up the yards next week when the Chargers travel to face a Buccaneers defense that just held Melvin Gordon to under 3.2 yards per touch.

Ekeler carried the ball 16 times for 93 yards and caught all four of his targets for 55 yards in Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to Kansas City.

While it was an impressive performance for Ekeler, it could have been bigger -- quarterback Justin Herbert ran in a four-yard TD, while Joshua Kelley also topped the century mark in scrimmage yards on 25 touches. The Chargers' backfield increasingly looks like a 1A/1B arrangement rather than Ekeler being entrusted with lead duties, but that could still lead to big numbers for both backs in Week 3 against a Panthers run defense that's already been lit up by Josh Jacobs and Leonard Fournette this season.

Coach Anthony Lynn suggested Ekeler could see his pass-catching opportunities limited thanks to the team's new offensive scheme, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Lynn more or less reinforced what occurred Sunday which saw the offense trade quick and concise checkdowns to the running back for more pocket-moving maneuvers and additional pass protection. It's hard to imagine any offensive scheme that limits last year's near 1,000-yard receiver is a particularly good one, but Lynn did make it a point to say he still wants to give the shifty back touches. It's true that Ekeler carried the ball 19 times and was largely effective in that capacity, but Ekeler's fantasy value is much more reliant on what he can do as a receiver as opposed to runner. Of course, that offensive scheme might go completely out the window in obvious passing situations which could occur as soon as Week 2 against a potent Chiefs offense. Either way, it's definitely something to monitor regarding Ekeler's fantasy value throughout 2020.

Ekeler carried the ball 19 times for 84 yards in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Bengals. He caught his lone target for three yards.

On the one hand, it was excellent to see Ekeler command nearly 20 carries in a contest that was close throughout. The 25-year-old's longest carry was only 13 yards, yet he was still able to consistently churn out yardage to the tune of 4.4 yards per carry. Still, it has to be a little troubling for fantasy managers considering Ekeler's lack of influence in the passing game, particularly after a 2019 season where he piled together 92 receptions and almost 1,000 receiving yards. To make matters worse, the Chargers held true to their promise of splitting the load, giving rookie Joshua Kelley 12 carries including a number of pivotal goal-line touches down the stretch. While Ekeler might be on the larger side of a running back by committee, it's clear at least from Week 1 that Kelley will be a prominent factor in the offense in some capacity, and without the usual influx of pass-catching opportunities, it might be hard for Ekeler to return value on his first-round fantasy value.

Ekeler has shown impressive strength at training camp, holding his own in drills against linebackers, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler may have a reputation as a scatback, but he's listed at a respectable 200 pounds and owns a career average of 4.8 yards per carry. He's in good position to build on last year's career high 132 carries, now sharing a backfield with Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley instead of Melvin Gordon. That's not to say Ekeler will be a 20-carry-a-game workhorse, but he does have some chance to match his volume from Weeks 1-4 last season -- 14.0 carries, 6.0 catches per game -- when Gordon was holding out.

The Chargers have signed Ekeler to a four-year, $25.5 million contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Ekeler's contract reportedly includes $15 million in guarantees. The dynamic dual-threat was scheduled to become a restricted free agent this offseason, but the Chargers have opted to lock him up for the foreseeable future rather than simply bring him back on a one-year basis. The 24-year-old proved his every-down potential by shouldering the load during the first four games of the 2019 season, before Melvin Gordon's holdout came to an end, across which span he compiled 220 rushing yards and three touchdowns in addition to 24 catches, 270 receiving yards and three scores. With Gordon set to test the open market when free agency kicks off March 18, it's conceivable that the Chargers could consider Ekeler as the top backfield option for the 2020 campaign. At the very least, he's a lock to handle a key role on offense.