RB Austin Ekeler, WAS (1 Viewer)

[Keith1]

After the "Big 4" RB's come off the board (likely 1-4), where does Ekeler fit vs. the other top RB's in PPR (Chubb, A. Jones, Zeke, Taylor, Mixon, Barkley)?

Well, in a full PPR, I think Ekeler is at or very near the top of the list. Chubb is a beast (no doubt) but Hunt does take away some of his shine. Jones is injury prone and just got paid. Plus, I expect the Packers to use Dillon a lot this year. Zeke got paid and went soft. That trend continues this season. Taylor is good but there are a few too many mouths to feed in that backfield (Mack and Wilkins) plus Hines being their pass down back. Mixon ? Can't trust him. He's fooled us all a few too many times. I also think Perrine gets more play than the experts predict. Barkley ? Love me some Saquon (We Are !) but that injury concerns me and I do think he will be on a limited usage basis for awhile. 

 

[tangfoot]

tiny bones club

His poor wife

 

[xenon]

Well, in a full PPR, I think Ekeler is at or very near the top of the list. Chubb is a beast (no doubt) but Hunt does take away some of his shine. Jones is injury prone and just got paid. Plus, I expect the Packers to use Dillon a lot this year. Zeke got paid and went soft. That trend continues this season. Taylor is good but there are a few too many mouths to feed in that backfield (Mack and Wilkins) plus Hines being their pass down back. Mixon ? Can't trust him. He's fooled us all a few too many times. I also think Perrine gets more play than the experts predict. Barkley ? Love me some Saquon (We Are !) but that injury concerns me and I do think he will be on a limited usage basis for awhile. 

All good points...and I agree..

I'm "considering" Ekelar @ 6 in a full PPR (in a 12 teamer)

Assuming the big 4 are gone....I feel #5 is going to snag Devante Adams...which in turn at 6, I will snag Ekelear over Kelce and the other RB's noted. 

If #5 goes with Zeke,  I "was" planning to grab Devante and still very may well do so...OR should I straight up go with Ekelar and of the agreement of the quoted post?  Decisions...decisions...but planning for that contingency!

I've mocked it grabbing Kelce at 6 and I just don't like how my teams come out....As much as I love Kelce, I am going to wait on TE this year...

 

[Keith1]

All good points...and I agree..

I'm "considering" Ekelar @ 6 in a full PPR (in a 12 teamer)

Assuming the big 4 are gone....I feel #5 is going to snag Devante Adams...which in turn at 6, I will snag Ekelear over Kelce and the other RB's noted. 

If #5 goes with Zeke,  I "was" planning to grab Devante and still very may well do so...OR should I straight up go with Ekelar and of the agreement of the quoted post?  Decisions...decisions...but planning for that contingency!

I've mocked it grabbing Kelce at 6 and I just don't like how my teams come out....As much as I love Kelce, I am going to wait on TE this year...

I hear you. In my big money 0.5 PPR league I pick 9th. If somehow Adams falls to me I will take him, but if he is not there, I am going Ekeler. GL to you !

 

[xenon]

Where has Ekelar been going in drafts?  Prefer to know in PPR and 12 teamers but all feedback is appreciated.

Drafting tonight and still debating w/ #6 and whether or not to draft Devante Adams if he is there or Ekelar?  or even Aaron Jones.  (I will not be touching Zeke this year - gut feeling)

I am leaning towards Ekelar....good move? bad move? Adams or Jones instead? 

 

[flat_earth]

Where has Ekelar been going in drafts?  Prefer to know in PPR and 12 teamers but all feedback is appreciated.

Drafting tonight and still debating w/ #6 and whether or not to draft Devante Adams if he is there or Ekelar?  or even Aaron Jones.  (I will not be touching Zeke this year - gut feeling)

I am leaning towards Ekelar....good move? bad move? Adams or Jones instead? 

He went at 6 in mine last Wednesday.  After Jones and before Adams and Zeke.  

 

[Grahamburn]

Where has Ekelar been going in drafts?  Prefer to know in PPR and 12 teamers but all feedback is appreciated.

Drafting tonight and still debating w/ #6 and whether or not to draft Devante Adams if he is there or Ekelar?  or even Aaron Jones.  (I will not be touching Zeke this year - gut feeling)

I am leaning towards Ekelar....good move? bad move? Adams or Jones instead? 

Took him at 10 in a 12 team PPR last night. 

RB is so shallow if feels imperative to get one with a clear path to workload. Especially picking late. 

 

[Team Smokin']

What's up with his current status? Just heard on Fantasy Radio from Jeff Mann. 

 

[VikingFrog]

What's up with his current status? Just heard on Fantasy Radio from Jeff Mann. 

Eeeeek!

DNP. Working of to the sideline with undisclosed injury. I’m sure everyone is panicking, but plenty of guys did the same today, so don’t worry until it’s time to worry.

 

[xenon]

A bit concerning for sure...anybody have any idea at all? 

 

[SoBeDad]

A bit concerning for sure...anybody have any idea at all? 

Injury report coming soon. Would Murray be a good pickup for the Chargers? The backups haven't been good.

 

[Ilov80s]

If he is genuinely hurt, this will a s-show for fantasy. WTH knows how Jackson, Kelley and Rountree would be used. 

 

[Pietaster2]

A bit concerning for sure...anybody have any idea at all? 

https://twitter.com/GManzano24/status/1435744367872937986?s=20

 

[Blackbear]

https://twitter.com/GManzano24/status/1435744367872937986?s=20

Lovely

 

[Ilov80s]

Are we sure this is a new injury? 

 

[SoBeDad]

Jesse Morse, a sports medicine doc in South Florida had an early accurate prediction of the Jk Dobbins injury.  He and his team are really into fantasy gambling. A video coming soon.

https://twitter.com/DrJesseMorse/status/1435747999116931072?s=19

 

[Ilov80s]

Jesse Morse, a sports medicine doc in South Florida had an early accurate prediction of the Jk Dobbins injury.  He and his team are really into fantasy gambling. A video coming soon.

https://twitter.com/DrJesseMorse/status/1435747999116931072?s=19

Is there video of the injury? 

 

[SoBeDad]

Is there video of the injury? 

No. Video discussion. I'm not a member, but he seems legit. 

 

[Ilov80s]

No. Video discussion. I'm not a member, but he seems legit. 

I am just wondering how they can diagnose an injury that they almost no info on and no video of. 

 

[SoBeDad]

I am just wondering how they can diagnose an injury that they almost no info on and no video of. 

With the Godwin quad injury, he discussed the type of quad injuries and speculates that TB wouldn't risk his health if it's a strain, instead of a bruise. So, speculation guided by his experience in sports medicine. With Ekeler, there's a self-tweet that he's ready to go.  Dr. Jesse's video on Ekeler, he doesn't wate time. I'm gonna watch it while walking the steamy streets of South Beach.

https://twitter.com/DrJesseMorse/status/1435755909662261248?s=19

 

[Team Smokin']

Hamstring injury kept him out of practice. Cautious or real?

https://www.nfl.com/news/chargers-rb-austin-ekeler-hamstring-sits-out-wednesday-practice

 

[SoBeDad]

Hamstring injury kept him out of practice. Cautious or real?

https://www.nfl.com/news/chargers-rb-austin-ekeler-hamstring-sits-out-wednesday-practice

We'll know by Saturday.

 

[VikingFrog]

With the Godwin quad injury, he discussed the type of quad injuries and speculates that TB wouldn't risk his health if it's a strain, instead of a bruise. So, speculation guided by his experience in sports medicine. With Ekeler, there's a self-tweet that he's ready to go.  Dr. Jesse's video on Ekeler, he doesn't wate time. I'm gonna watch it while walking the steamy streets of South Beach.

https://twitter.com/DrJesseMorse/status/1435755909662261248?s=19

Lol.

He spent 3:30 of the 4:00 video touting his own app/channel and yet another daily fantasy site to then say virtually nothing about Ekeler.

 

[Ilov80s]

Lol.

He spent 3:30 of the 4:00 video touting his own app/channel and yet another daily fantasy site to then say virtually nothing about Ekeler.

Not much to say at this point. No video, no specifics in the team press release. 

 

[VikingFrog]

Not much to say at this point. No video, no specifics in the team press release. 

Not much to say here guys. So SMASH that like button and SUBSCRIBE.

 

[SoBeDad]

Not much to say here guys. So SMASH that like button and SUBSCRIBE.

Not much to go on, but he's not too worried unless he doesn't practice and is a game-time decision. And he referenced the tweet by Ekeler a few hours earlier saying he's ready to go. Probably NBA-style maintenance IMO. A buy low if you want him. 

Dr. Morse was right-on, early-on about Dobbins with video of a knee joint model. He's also worried about Samuel's injury lasting a month. Not worried now about Swift, compares it to Montgomery's preseason groin injury last year. All in all, useful timely info.

 

[Saboo]

Dr. Morse strikes me as someone who is in love with himself...That said, he's usually on the money about injuries

 

[Grahamburn]

Coaches preparing him for a huge workload.  Relax.

 

[DAG]

I am just wondering how they can diagnose an injury that they almost no info on and no video of. 

Maybe he tapped into Belichick’s feed?

 

[Faust]

Doug Kyed @DougKyed

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) worked with trainers off to the side at practice yesterday, but the team is optimistic he can play Week 1 barring any setbacks, per a source.

Ekeler missed six games with a hamstring injury last season, so it’s a situation worth monitoring.

https://twitter.com/dougkyed/status/1436025468130578437?s=21

 

[Mongidig]

I was seriously considering taking Ekler with my first pick but took Adams. I didn’t know he was hurt but it was highly irregular for him to drop into the mid second. I decided to take him with my second pick based on what I read briefly about the injury situation. 
 

It’s high risk but high reward. We’ll see.

 

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler (hamstring) remained sidelined from the portion of Chargers practice open to the media on Thursday. 

Ekeler remained off to the side rehabbing as the Chargers got in their team drills. Perhaps he will do enough to get slapped with a "limited" tag, but he will likely be listed as DNP. The Bolts are reportedly "optimistic" Ekeler will be ready for Sunday's cross country opener against the Washington Football Team, but back-to-back DNPs with a hamstring coming off the summer months is an exceedingly poor sign. If you drafted Ekeler as your RB1, you need to start formulating a backup plan. Were Ekeler to sit, Justin Jackson would probably handle most passing-down work with Joshua Kelley getting another shot on early downs. 

SOURCE: Jeff Miller on Twitter 

Sep 9, 2021, 5:40 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) returned to practice Friday.

It was his first practice of the week, just 48 hours before the Chargers are scheduled to square off against Washington in their season opener. Ekeler had logged individual drills and rehab off to the side to this point of the week but, as it stands, has a terrific chance to be on the field for Week 1. Though the seriousness of his injury is unclear, Ekeler is a strong mid-RB1 for fantasy if active.

SOURCE: Daniel Popper on Twitter

Sep 10, 2021, 3:12 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) is questionable for Week 1 against Washington.

Even so, coach Brandon Staley said he's "optimistic" Ekeler will be available since “he looked good out there" on Friday, his first session of the week and just 48 hours until the team's regular season opener. Though the seriousness of his injury is unclear, Ekeler is a strong mid-RB1 for fantasy since all signs point to him being available.

SOURCE: Doug Kyed on Twitter

Sep 10, 2021, 4:07 PM ET

 

[Faust]

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Austin Ekeler (hamstring) is "expected to play" in Week 1 against Washington.

Ekeler returned to practice Friday, making it though the session without setbacks. Coach Brandon Staley is "optimistic" Ekeler will play despite only getting in one limited practice this week. Ekler carries workload risks at less than 100 percent, but the 26-year-old is on track to start and lead the Chargers' backfield in snaps. Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley, and rookie Larry Rountree all figure to be active behind Ekeler.

SOURCE: NFL Network

Sep 10, 2021, 7:35 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Appearing on NFL Network's GameDay Morning, Ian Rapoport reports Austin Ekeler (hamstring) will be "full go" Week 1 against Washington.

Rapsheet characterized Ekeler's missed practices Wednesday and Thursday as "precautionary." Ekeler was able to get back on the practice field Friday and is going to be out there for Sunday's tilt in D.C. The matchup is on the tougher side, but fantasy players should feel comfortable with Ekeler in season-long lineups.

Sep 12, 2021, 9:28 AM ET

 

[The Frankman]

Austin Ekeler rushed 15 times for 57 yards and a touchdown in the Chargers' Week 1 20-16 win over Washington. 

Ekeler drafters got what they wanted, as the Bolts RB1 saw goal line work that he hasn't traditionally seen. He was, however, phased out of LA's passing attack, failing to command a single target while Justin Herbert racked up 337 yards on 47 attempts.

 

[IHEARTFF]

0 targets out of 47 for Ekeler might be the craziest stat of the week

 

[BobbyLayne]

0 targets out of 47 for Ekeler might be the craziest stat of the week

Defintely - cannot even fathom what happened there

 

[togo]

Defintely - cannot even fathom what happened there

I am baffled as well. I thought that was one of his biggest strengths!

 

[Mongidig]

0 targets out of 47 for Ekeler might be the craziest stat of the week

Didn’t he do this once before and then come with a 14 catch game?
 

I agree it’s crazy. I wonder if he was limited because of his hammy.

 

[Tau837]

Didn’t he do this once before and then come with a 14 catch game?
 

I agree it’s crazy. I wonder if he was limited because of his hammy.

I don't see how it was tied to his hamstring. He had 15 carries and ran a number of routes. I haven't seen snap counts yet, but I assume he led all RBs in snaps.

I have to believe it was some combination of game plan-specific strategy and fluke/circumstances. Herbert only targeted a RB one time in the game, but this is an offense based largely on Sean Payton's offense with the Saints, in which throwing to the RB is a staple.

 

[Mongidig]

I don't see how it was tied to his hamstring. He had 15 carries and ran a number of routes. I haven't seen snap counts yet, but I assume he led all RBs in snaps.

I have to believe it was some combination of game plan-specific strategy and fluke/circumstances. Herbert only targeted a RB one time in the game, but this is an offense based largely on Sean Payton's offense with the Saints, in which throwing to the RB is a staple.

Did he come out of the game ok!
 

He’ll be fine regarding catches. It was a tough matchup.

 

[Banger]

I imagine it's an anomaly....I wouldn't panic after 1 game....he still had a decent game. 

 

[TampaMike19]

Perhaps Herbert is the new Mahomes and doesn't need to check it down because he's so good. 

 

[YoungDro]

Ekeler a good buy low target?  Didn't get to watch any of the Chargers games so don't know if he was running a lot of routes and just not getting targeted

 

[nittanylion]

Having watched in it's entirety as the Chargers dismantled my vaunted WFTskins defense, I'm fairly certain the Chargers were simply using one of the oldest Coaching axioms in the proverbial book on Sunday - if you find something that works effectively, early in the game, use it relentlessly until your opponent proves they can stop it. The Chargers O-Line rendered the WFTskins pass rush relatively impotent, and attacked the secondary repeatedly, with great success. Why subject Ekeler to any needless wear-and-tear? Ekeler will get his. I'm just glad he salvaged a productive day, in what I thought was going to be a tough spot. He was a must-start where I had him (Draft capital). Unfortunately for me, Mike Williams, IMHO, was not. I had an overall very nice Week 1, but oh, what it might have been. West Coast Team travelling East for a 1pm start, I'm still convinced is an NFL/betting angle, but maybe less of a FF one than I weigh it. Not for the life of me, did I see that game play out the way it did.

 

[BobbyLayne]

took a vicious helmet to helmet launching hit from Diggs (Cowboys)

in the gent he’s done for the day

big fine coming but should be ejection &/or suspension 

no place for it

 

[Mr.Blonde]

Ekeler did go back in the game after that dirty hit.

 

[Faust]

Jacob Gibbs @ja_gibbs23

It's really happening... Austin Ekeler is really getting goal line duties:

Ekeler's share of the RB carries when in the red zone

2020 -- 17 of 41 (41.5%)
2021 -- 10 of 14 (71.4%)

Ekeler's share of the RB carries when inside the 10

2020 -- 10 of 25 (40%)
2021 -- 5 of 6 (83%)

https://twitter.com/jagibbs_23/status/1443197870203674624?s=21