RB Austin Ekeler, WAS (2 Viewers)

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler rushed 15 times for 117 yards and one touchdown in the Chargers' Week 4 win over the Raiders, adding three catches for 28 yards and one touchdown on five targets.

Ekeler sent fantasy players into a panic when he left the field early in the first quarter with a noticeable limp that sent him to the blue medical tent, but he quickly returned and posted his first 100-yard rushing game of the year, matching a season-high with 15 carries. Ekeler's first touchdown was a 14-yard catch where he straight whooped LB K.J. Wright in coverage, and his second was an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter to put L.A. ahead 28-14. Ekeler has four touchdowns in four games to start the year and is an every-week RB1 ahead of a Week 5 date with the Browns.

Oct 5, 2021, 12:02 AM ET

 

[Grahamburn]

More love for this man.

 

[Faust]

AUSTIN EKELER THRIVING BEHIND CHARGERS' NEW OL

 

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler rushed 17 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers' Week 5 win over the Browns, adding five catches for 53 yards and a third touchdown on five targets.

Ekeler now has five touchdowns in his last two games, six in his last three, and seven on the season. He scored three touchdowns all of last season. Ekeler is getting all of the red zone and goal-line looks under new OC Joe Lombardi as a legit every-down, do-it-all back. He's as locked in of a fantasy RB1 as there is ahead of a Week 6 date with the Ravens. Ekeler's three scores in this one all came in a wild fourth quarter, with four- and three-yard rushing touchdowns sandwiched around a 19-yard receiving one.

Oct 10, 2021, 7:40 PM ET

 

[The Captain]

Least respected stud there is. I’m amazed at how little discussion there is about him .

 

[TakiToki]

What's to say? If you have him, just sit back and enjoy. If you don't have him, you're not getting him.

 

[The Frankman]

Austin Ekeler rushed six times for seven yards in the Chargers' Week 6 loss to the Ravens, adding four receptions for 48 additional yards. 

The 55 total yards were Ekeler's fewest of the season. The Chargers simply could not sustain drives, very much including on the ground. In addition to Ekeler's rushing ineffectiveness, it remained a morass behind him. Larry Rountree was a healthy scratch, but Joshua Kelley took the rock four times for only seven yards as Justin Jackson didn't notch a carry. The Chargers do not need to "establish it," but they do need to at least figure out who they can rely on when they want someone to spell Ekeler between the tackles. They have their Week 7 bye to think about it before hosting the Patriots. 

- NBC SportsEDGE

 

[ZADO]

Awful

 

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler was added to the Chargers' injury report on Thursday, missing practice with a hip issue. 

Ekeler got injured somewhere between the very end of Wednesday's session and the very beginning of Thursday's. Not good, especially since this is coming out of the Chargers' bye week. That means this is unlikely to be routine maintenance. All we can do is wait for Friday at this point. If Ekeler returns with even a limited session, he will have a strong chance of suiting up against the Pats. If not, the Chargers will have one of the least appealing backfield jumbles you have ever seen with Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and rookie Larry Rountree. 

Oct 28, 2021, 6:44 PM ET

 

[kyoun1e]

Come on.

 

[ZADO]

Probably just tweaked it and they are playing it safe ,im not worried ...yet

 

[3nOut]

.

I just traded for him so I hope it's just a precaution.

 

[Loipz]

I hope it’s okay, but who would be the cuff if not?

 

[kyoun1e]

DNP today.

Time to be concerned.

And time to rack my brain on who of Kelley, Jackson, or Rountree is worth picking up.

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Officially listed as questionable

 

[kyoun1e]

This sounds like decent news:

Daniel Popper

@danielrpopper

Brandon Staley said Austin Ekeler felt sore after Wednesday's practice, and so they held him out the past two days. He is "hopeful" Ekeler will be able to go Sunday vs. Patriots.

4:32 PM · Oct 29, 2021·TweetDeck

 

[JohnnyU]

If memory serves, hasn’t he always been pretty good about playing through pain?  I may be off base on that.

 

[Faust]

Chargers listed RB Austin Ekeler (hip) questionable for Week 8 against the Patriots.

Brandon Staley told reporters that Ekeler felt sore after Wendnesday's practice, which led to consecutive DNPs for the start running back. The Chargers remain hopeful that he will play Sunday. While mid-week injuries are never a good sign, it sounds like Ekeler's status for Sunday is at least truly questionable, rather than borderline doubtful. Ekeler will be a low-end RB1 if he's able to go. If not, Justin Jackson would likely see the biggest increase in role, as the only Chargers backup with a similar skillset to Ekeler's. 

RELATED: 

Justin Jackson

, Larry Rountree

, Joshua Kelley

SOURCE: Andrew Callahan on Twitter

Oct 29, 2021, 3:57 PM ET

 

[JIslander]

Kelley had >30%  snap counts last 2 weeks; Jackson had 14% week 6 and Rountree zero last two weeks. ---

 

[modogg]

Come on.

lol. i hear ya.

not sure how legit this guy is, but seems like a reasonable breakdown of the injury. hope he is right:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmiXNECbIa8&ab_channel=TheFantasyDoctors

 

[Mongidig]

This sounds very similar to what happened to Ekeler leading up to week one. He ended up playing and carrying the ball 15 times. I heard Ekeler was being interviewed on a show late this week and seemed in good spirits. Players are usually removed from public view when it’s possibly a more serious injury. I have a feeling we may have to get used to these scares. I’m hoping they are being extra cautious with him based on last year.

 

[Mongidig]

I hope it’s okay, but who would be the cuff if not?

I would have thought Jackson. I guess Kelly has been getting more run lately. Unless Kelly has greatly improved from last year, I feel Jackson is the more talented player. It’s probably a backfield to avoid this week unless you’re desperate. 

 

[BobbyLayne]

I would have thought Jackson. I guess Kelly has been getting more run lately. Unless Kelly has greatly improved from last year, I feel Jackson is the more talented player. It’s probably a backfield to avoid this week unless you’re desperate. 

probably

no hard dropping my WR5 last night to add my new RB8 for free

keeps him away from desperate bottom feeders just in case Austin  can’t go tomorrow (sounds like he might)

95% chance I throw him back next week

 

[kyoun1e]

Field Yates

@FieldYates

·

6m

Austin Ekeler (questionable, hip) has set his own fantasy lineup and…has Austin Ekeler starting in his lineup

 

[ZADO]

Field Yates

@FieldYates

·

6m

Austin Ekeler (questionable, hip) has set his own fantasy lineup and…has Austin Ekeler starting in his lineup

Thats  the most reliable source going lol

All aboard

 

[ZADO]

Austin Ekeler (hip) told ESPN he will be active for Sunday's game against the Patriots. 

Ekeler turned in back-to-back DNPs after feeling sore following Wednesday's practice, but the Chargers tried to convey the sense it was more precautionary than anything else. We assume Ekeler will still have to feel good in pre-game warmups, but when the player himself says he will be out there, we obviously could not have a better source. The Bolts do kick off at 4:05 PM ET but assuming this is the last update we get, you can keep Ekeler in your starting lineup. 

 

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler rushed 11 times for 50 yards and two touchdowns, adding six catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers' Week 11 win over the Steelers.

Ekeler was electric as usual, flashing his dual-threat skill set en route to an enormous four-touchdown performance. As has been the case more often this season, Ekeler was also the Chargers' primary goal-line back, and both of his rushing scores came from fewer than 10 yards away. Entrenched as Los Angeles' clear lead back, Ekeler is a high-end RB1 in Week 12 despite a tough matchup against the Broncos.

Nov 21, 2021, 11:44 PM ET

 

[wgoldsph]

Amazing how his topic is so silent.  He's the 2nd best rb in fantasy football.

 

[TZMarkie]

Amazing how his topic is so silent.  He's the 2nd best rb in fantasy football.

  I drafted him in 2 of 4 redrafts, and have been #####ing ever since week 3 that I should have gotten him everywhere. (Instead I wanted to diversify like a fool)

In our plain Jane/close to standard scoring set ups......, any RB that gets you 30+ points a week is pretty much a week winner for you. Well, EKELER has now broken that barrier 3 times (one was right at 40 points) and he has had double digit points literally EVERY WEEK except week 6.

 I wouldn't say he is a league winner just yet, but he has been about as rock solid as anyone could hope for when we drafted. 

 Don't look now boys, EKELER is facing NYG week 14, KC week 15, and HOU week 16 .

Let's pray he stays healthy.

 TZM

 

[Tau837]

Top 3 in RB total points and ppg in all 4 of my leagues. Have the offseason doubters come around yet?

 

[ZADO]

I grabbed him at the 5 spot with Chubb and Elliot sitting there as well,i have ZERO regrets 

 

[Ironman2131]

I'm the idiot who sat him this week in dynasty for AJ Dillon (I also have Chubb, which is why I didn't just start both of them).  I won't be doing that again.  I'm riding Chubb and Ekeler as long as both are healthy.

 

[Runnyb]

Is Roundtree or Jackson the handcuff here? Seems like it might be a timeshare but haven't followed LAC closely.

Clinched playoff spot and wondering what other Eckeler owners are doing.

Short bench so limited with who I can or should cuff for weeks 16/17. Any advice or opinions are much appreciated.

 

[wgoldsph]

Is Roundtree or Jackson the handcuff here? Seems like it might be a timeshare but haven't followed LAC closely.

Clinched playoff spot and wondering what other Eckeler owners are doing.

Short bench so limited with who I can or should cuff for weeks 16/17. Any advice or opinions are much appreciated.

Imo, as another owner, neither of his backups are guys that I am comfortable putting in his place.   If he goes down I'm looking at one of Tennessee's two headed monster, Freeman from Baltimore, or at last grasp ty Johnson Jets if Wilson is benched.

 

[kyoun1e]

Is Roundtree or Jackson the handcuff here? Seems like it might be a timeshare but haven't followed LAC closely.

Clinched playoff spot and wondering what other Eckeler owners are doing.

Short bench so limited with who I can or should cuff for weeks 16/17. Any advice or opinions are much appreciated.

Nothing.

Don't think either J. Jackson or Roundtree would dominate touches nor would either be as efficient.

 

[Barksdale]

Nothing.

Don't think either J. Jackson or Roundtree would dominate touches nor would either be as efficient.

Yep, there's no clarity that I can see around a clear cut 'cuff. Could be Jackson in the passing game, Rountree with goal line touches (that said, Rountree was inactive in week 12). The most likely scenario seems to be a committee fighting for scraps.

 

[Runnyb]

Thank you for the replies and opinions. I felt the same about Rountree after paying way too much for him in like week 3 and dropping a week or so later. Just wanted some confirmation that Jackson isn't 'the guy' if Eckeler were to get injured.

 

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Ekeler suffered an injury late in the win over the Bengals last week, so this is apparently it. Getting in a limited session to start the practice week is good news, however. If Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are forced to miss Week 14 on the COVID list, Ekeler could threaten 30 touches as the engine of the offense.

Dec 8, 2021, 5:31 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler (ankle) remained "limited" for Thursday's practice. 

A "full" practice would be nice after Ekeler tweaked his ankle late in Week 13's victory over the Bengals, but back-to-back sessions of any kind keep him on track to face the G-Men. With Jonathan Taylor on bye, Ekeler is this week's RB1 overall, unless, of course, we get some troubling reports about his health between now and Sunday's kickoff. 

Dec 9, 2021, 6:21 PM ET

 

[kyoun1e]

The Fantasy Source 

@FantasySource_

INJURY UPDATE:

@Chargers

HC Brandon Staley confirms RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is good and could have returned to the game. They play this upcoming Thursday vs

@Chiefs

7:57 PM · Dec 12, 2021·Tweetbot for iΟS

 

[The Captain]

The Fantasy Source 

@FantasySource_

INJURY UPDATE:

@Chargers

HC Brandon Staley confirms RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is good and could have returned to the game. They play this upcoming Thursday vs

@Chiefs

7:57 PM · Dec 12, 2021·Tweetbot for iΟS

They way they were taping up his ankle...I’ll  believe this when I see it. 

 

[Faust]

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Austin Ekeler (ankle) is "fine." 

In the team's Week 14 win over the Giants, Ekeler re-aggravated the ankle injury that landed him on the team's injury report last week. Chargers trainers wrapped Ekeler's injured ankle on the sideline while Joshua Kelley (10 carries) and Justin Jackson (nine carries) shared the backfield workload. On a short week -- LA plays the Chiefs on Thursday night -- Ekeler could be a game-time call if he can't get in much practice over the next few days. 

RELATED: 

Joshua Kelley

, Justin Jackson

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Dec 13, 2021, 10:45 AM ET

 

[togo]

ARRRRGH!!!

This could be a killer for the fantasy playoffs.

Worse he plays Thursday not Sunday. Not much information coming out as of yet.

Coach says he's "fine' but there is a rumor of possible high ankle sprain. 

Those are certainly 2 different scenarios.

 

[Gottabesweet]

He normally drops hints on Twitter if he’s playing.  Whether or not he’s effective is another story.  
 

The fantasy doctors around are very leery on this one. 

 

[wgoldsph]

He normally drops hints on Twitter if he’s playing.  Whether or not he’s effective is another story.  
 

The fantasy doctors around are very leery on this one. 

He normally posts himself in his lineup, not just a hint

 

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler (ankle) was a limited participant for Tuesday's practice.

Ekeler is fully expected to have his practice reps limited early in the week after he was removed from Sunday's game for precautionary reasons ahead of the team's important divisional showdown against Kansas City. We fully expect Ekeler to suit up as an RB1 Thursday night.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Chargers on Twitter

Dec 14, 2021, 5:45 PM ET

 

[kyoun1e]

Tempted to drop J. Jackson now...since I don't even know if he'd be worth a damn in the case of an Ekeler injury:

AUSTIN EKELERRB, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Austin Ekeler (ankle) is practicing Wednesday.

Ekeler picked up an ankle injury in Week 14, but he has practiced each of the last two days. He will likely be listed as questionable on the final report, but it would be a surprise if he is not ready to face the Chiefs on Thursday night. He will be a locked-in RB1 in that matchup. 

SOURCE: Fernando Ramirez on Twitter

Dec 15, 2021, 3:20 PM ET

 

[rschroeder1]

Tempted to drop J. Jackson now...since I don't even know if he'd be worth a damn in the case of an Ekeler injury:

AUSTIN EKELERRB, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Austin Ekeler (ankle) is practicing Wednesday.

Ekeler picked up an ankle injury in Week 14, but he has practiced each of the last two days. He will likely be listed as questionable on the final report, but it would be a surprise if he is not ready to face the Chiefs on Thursday night. He will be a locked-in RB1 in that matchup. 

SOURCE: Fernando Ramirez on Twitter

Dec 15, 2021, 3:20 PM ET

Not to boost Jackson, but I picked him up specifically because of the lack of recovery time for Ekeler with the Thursday game.  Seems like a recurrence has elevated odds.  Of course, Jackson would be in a split at best, but in my opinion, he's the best option of the bunch.

 

[Gottabesweet]

I can’t believe he’s touted as a RB1this week. 

 

[kyoun1e]

Now a GTD.

Think I'll hold J. Jackson.