RB Austin Ekeler, WAS (2 Viewers)

[BassNBrew]

A) Feed him the rock and claim a playoff spot.

B) Let's get Kelley carries and lose to the Raiders.

Yeah...B seems like a good option.

 

[irish eyes]

Is he broken? Or is more about the overall offense and o-line?

Just the idiot head coach who has zero clue what he's doing.

 

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler embraces on-field success carrying over to fantasy football

Chargers' Austin Ekeler gets 'political' in Pro Bowl campaign

 

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler rushed 12 times for 58 yards and a touchdown in the Chargers' Week 15 win over the Titans.​

Ekeler only caught two balls for 12 yards and was targeted just three times. He also ceded 10 carries and a rushing score to Josh Kelley. Ekeler briefly left this game in the first quarter with an apparent arm injury, though he didn't miss much time before returning. The injury could explain his split with Kelley, but it doesn't entirely justify his low target total. With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams back in the fold, it's possible we see less receiving volume for Ekeler going forward. The workload concerns will keep him in the middle of the RB1 ranks for Week 16 against the Colts.
Dec 18, 2022, 9:23 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said tests on Austin Ekeler's shoulder came back negative.​

Whatever tests were conducted on Ekeler's shoulder, the fact that they came back negative for anything significant is good. Ekeler briefly exited Sunday's game against the Titans, but returned to the field to rush for 12-58-1 while also catching two passes for 12 yards. Ekeler should be good to go for next week's matchup against the Colts and can be treated as a top-12 back.
Dec 19, 2022, 3:16 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler rushed 18 times for 67 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers’ Week 16 win over the Colts, adding four receptions for an additional 12 yards.​

As usual it was difficult for Ekeler and the Chargers to get the run game going, but they kept at it. Even on a modest receiving day, he was able to punch in two scores from point blank range. Volume and opportunity have been Ekeler’s bread and butter for a while and it didn’t stop here. He continues to be a top fantasy asset.
Dec 26, 2022, 11:31 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler (knee) remained limited for Thursday's practice.​

Ekeler was apparently banged up near the end of the Chargers' Monday night win over the Colts. Hardly ideal, though the fact that he's gotten in back-to-back practices on a short week hints the Bolts aren't overly concerned about his Week 17 status. For now, fantasy managers can proceed as normal with their MVP heading into finals weekend.
Dec 29, 2022, 5:10 PM ET

 

[Adso]

This guy has to be the least shiny RB1 (PPR) there ever was. Not a single post on him in almost a month, not counting Faust's most welcome updates of course. He's had what, like 3 Top 5 RB finishes in 4 years? Barely cracking 19 pages in the forums... Etienne in only one season of significant playtime has 26!

What are holders doing with the likely 2022 RB#1 this offseason? Selling? Keeping? What would you ask for? What would you take?

 

[efactor]

This guy has to be the least shiny RB1 (PPR) there ever was. Not a single post on him in almost a month, not counting Faust's most welcome updates of course. He's had what, like 3 Top 5 RB finishes in 4 years? Barely cracking 19 pages in the forums... Etienne in only one season of significant playtime has 26!

What are holders doing with the likely 2022 RB#1 this offseason? Selling? Keeping? What would you ask for? What would you take?

I'm keeping him. 27 and not a lot of wear and tear, so think he has a solid 3 years left. Maybe if I was rebuilding, I would consider moving him.

 

[FGITLOTR]

i’m more concerned about his status for week 17. There’s no need to throw him out there at less than 100%.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

i’m more concerned about his status for week 17. There’s no need to throw him out there at less than 100%.

I’m facing him, so I kinda hope they put him in bubble wrap for the playoffs.

No offense, of course.

 

[FGITLOTR]

i’m more concerned about his status for week 17. There’s no need to throw him out there at less than 100%.

I’m facing him, so I kinda hope they put him in bubble wrap for the playoffs.

No offense, of course.

no worries. TBH, the smart move is to bench him, as they have little to play for the next two weeks. i think we see a lot of Josh Kelley the next two games

 

[the spanker]

i’m more concerned about his status for week 17. There’s no need to throw him out there at less than 100%.

I’m facing him, so I kinda hope they put him in bubble wrap for the playoffs.

No offense, of course.

no worries. TBH, the smart move is to bench him, as they have little to play for the next two weeks. i think we see a lot of Josh Kelley the next two games

Sssssssshhhhh.....they won't bench him but I expect they will tone down his touches this week.

 

[MAC_32]

i’m more concerned about his status for week 17. There’s no need to throw him out there at less than 100%.

I’m facing him, so I kinda hope they put him in bubble wrap for the playoffs.

No offense, of course.

no worries. TBH, the smart move is to bench him, as they have little to play for the next two weeks. i think we see a lot of Josh Kelley the next two games

Strongly disagree. There is a massive difference between a road game at TEN/JAX and one of BUF/KC/CIN. They have a lot to play for.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

i’m more concerned about his status for week 17. There’s no need to throw him out there at less than 100%.

I’m facing him, so I kinda hope they put him in bubble wrap for the playoffs.

No offense, of course.

no worries. TBH, the smart move is to bench him, as they have little to play for the next two weeks. i think we see a lot of Josh Kelley the next two games

Strongly disagree. There is a massive difference between a road game at TEN/JAX and one of BUF/KC/CIN. They have a lot to play for.

Well, they’ve seemingly been lightening his load for a couple weeks - Kelley was in on 3rd downs all game last week.

It’ll be interesting to see how he’s used now that he has the knee injury.

 

[Deamon]

i’m more concerned about his status for week 17. There’s no need to throw him out there at less than 100%.

I’m facing him, so I kinda hope they put him in bubble wrap for the playoffs.

No offense, of course.

no worries. TBH, the smart move is to bench him, as they have little to play for the next two weeks. i think we see a lot of Josh Kelley the next two games

Strongly disagree. There is a massive difference between a road game at TEN/JAX and one of BUF/KC/CIN. They have a lot to play for.

I think so too (hope so). I could see them resting guys in week 18 though to give themselves a bye going into playoffs.

 

[Deamon]

Looks like if they win this week, (and miami loses) then they're locked into the 5 and there's no chance they'd play anyone week 18

 

[MAC_32]

i’m more concerned about his status for week 17. There’s no need to throw him out there at less than 100%.

I’m facing him, so I kinda hope they put him in bubble wrap for the playoffs.

No offense, of course.

no worries. TBH, the smart move is to bench him, as they have little to play for the next two weeks. i think we see a lot of Josh Kelley the next two games

Strongly disagree. There is a massive difference between a road game at TEN/JAX and one of BUF/KC/CIN. They have a lot to play for.

Well, they’ve seemingly been lightening his load for a couple weeks - Kelley was in on 3rd downs all game last week.

It’ll be interesting to see how he’s used now that he has the knee injury.

Sharing more work for a variety of reasons not related to little to play for is absolutely a potential outcome.

 

[MAC_32]

Looks like if they win this week, (and miami loses) then they're locked into the 5 and there's no chance they'd play anyone week 18

Baltimore is currently the 5 seed. I don't know their tie breaker with the Chargers, but the Ravens need to lose at least once in order for LA to potentially jump them.

 

[Deamon]

Looks like if they win this week, (and miami loses) then they're locked into the 5 and there's no chance they'd play anyone week 18

Baltimore is currently the 5 seed. I don't know their tie breaker with the Chargers, but the Ravens need to lose at least once in order for LA to potentially jump them.

Oh Jeez. Don't know how I totally forgot about Baltimore.
So the 5 is obviously desirable. But 6 or 7 wouldn't matter I'm assuming.

 

[houston]

The good news is the Ravens play Sunday night so their result won’t impact how the Chargers handle this. Agreed that going for the 5 seed makes sense.

I heard Ekeler on a podcast this week. It’s clear he takes a lot of pride in playing and said the team would need to present him with a strong case as to why he shouldn’t play.

 

[Deamon]

Looks like if they win this week, (and miami loses) then they're locked into the 5 and there's no chance they'd play anyone week 18

Baltimore is currently the 5 seed. I don't know their tie breaker with the Chargers, but the Ravens need to lose at least once in order for LA to potentially jump them.

LA has tie breaker over Balt. So Balt could clinch the 5 seed with a win, but luckily that game is Sunday night.

 

[Tau837]

Looks like if they win this week, (and miami loses) then they're locked into the 5 and there's no chance they'd play anyone week 18

Baltimore is currently the 5 seed. I don't know their tie breaker with the Chargers, but the Ravens need to lose at least once in order for LA to potentially jump them.

LA has tie breaker over Balt. So Balt could clinch the 5 seed with a win, but luckily that game is Sunday night.

If the Chargers (9-6) finish with the same record as the Ravens (10-5), the Chargers have the tiebreaker and get the higher seed. So the Ravens only clinch Sunday if they win and the Chargers lose.

 

[Deamon]

Looks like if they win this week, (and miami loses) then they're locked into the 5 and there's no chance they'd play anyone week 18

Baltimore is currently the 5 seed. I don't know their tie breaker with the Chargers, but the Ravens need to lose at least once in order for LA to potentially jump them.

LA has tie breaker over Balt. So Balt could clinch the 5 seed with a win, but luckily that game is Sunday night.

If the Chargers (9-6) finish with the same record as the Ravens (10-5), the Chargers have the tiebreaker and get the higher seed. So the Ravens only clinch Sunday if they win and the Chargers lose.

well I've certainly botched this 5-seed thing.
But on the bright side, EKELER IS CLEARED!

 

[Dez]

Looks like if they win this week, (and miami loses) then they're locked into the 5 and there's no chance they'd play anyone week 18

Baltimore is currently the 5 seed. I don't know their tie breaker with the Chargers, but the Ravens need to lose at least once in order for LA to potentially jump them.

Well Baltimore plays Cincy the last game so clearly a game they could lose plus Baltimore won't play Pitt until Sunday night and LA Chargers will have already played so they have to go all out for the win in week 17. No way they want to play at KC/Buf/Cin if they can avoid it vs playing Jax/Tenn.

 

[Dez]

The good news is the Ravens play Sunday night so their result won’t impact how the Chargers handle this. Agreed that going for the 5 seed makes sense.

I heard Ekeler on a podcast this week. It’s clear he takes a lot of pride in playing and said the team would need to present him with a strong case as to why he shouldn’t play.

Also Ekeler drafted himself for Fantasy in a few leagues he will want to score pts for his own team.

He is playing this week unless injured...and he is not on the final injury report.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Please
Please
Please
Play

 

[menobrown]

I hate him, I'd give anything for him to not play, but he will.

 

[Stat Correction]

Also Ekeler drafted himself for Fantasy in a few leagues he will want to score pts for his own team.

If I knew every player that did this (drafted themselves), I would prioritize them in my own redrafts. That's top-shelf stuff.

 

[BassNBrew]

i’m more concerned about his status for week 17. There’s no need to throw him out there at less than 100%.

I’m facing him, so I kinda hope they put him in bubble wrap for the playoffs.

No offense, of course.

no worries. TBH, the smart move is to bench him, as they have little to play for the next two weeks. i think we see a lot of Josh Kelley the next two games

Strongly disagree. There is a massive difference between a road game at TEN/JAX and one of BUF/KC/CIN. They have a lot to play for.

Thank you. I've seen this junk posted all week. Started with the Cowboys with nothing to play for...CeeDee and Schultz both hang a 20 spot.

 

[rockaction]

Thank you. I've seen this junk posted all week. Started with the Cowboys with nothing to play for.

It was an isolated few posters that tend to run mouths more than think about things.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Thank you. I've seen this junk posted all week. Started with the Cowboys with nothing to play for.

It was an isolated few posters that tend to run mouths more than think about things.

Hope I wasn’t one of them

Feel bad EZE put up pedestrian numbers

 

[rockaction]

Hope I wasn’t one of them

Nope. It wasn't you.

Don't feel bad about it. I had to start him because of M. Sanders's questionable tag with his knee. I was disappointed that he got 19 carries (that's a really good amount) and only got 37 yards, but that line won't ruin my weekend. What will ruin my weekend is Davante Adams and DK Metcalf with a quarterback issue and a defense that doesn't let receivers come and go easily at all.

I feel like subbing them out because anything else is just slamming my head into a brick wall. I have options, too.

But for Elliott, all you can really do -- especially against the number four D against the run (I don't care who they were missing and didn't, I just shut my mouth about it because why derail the thread) -- is hope that he gets that volume and maybe breaks one or two for plus-ten yards or something. Never happened.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

is hope that he gets that volume and maybe breaks one or two for plus-ten yards or something. Never happened.

Yeah, I was tongue-in-cheek there.

EZE got the volume, and even scored a TD. It’s shocking he did almost nothing with his touches, and that they seemingly refused to throw him the ball in space.

 

[FGITLOTR]

A healthy Ekeler should be the priority, not which team they will be facing in the playoffs. The nagging injuries are starting to mount and it behooves them to be very cautious with his touches the last two games. Kelley took over 3rd down duties, but should also be in on all short yardage/GL touches.

 

[Gr00vus]

A healthy Ekeler should be the priority, not which team they will be facing in the playoffs. The nagging injuries are starting to mount and it behooves them to be very cautious with his touches the last two games. Kelley took over 3rd down duties, but should also be in on all short yardage/GL touches.

I think we'll see more Kelly than normal to try and reduce wear and tear on ekeler. I'd be surprised if they don't go to ekeler at the goaline if the game is close though. He's just too strong to leave out in those situations, and makes a better play action decoy.

If they have nothing to play for next week, I'd expect he, and most other key players will do a lot of sitting.

 

[FGITLOTR]

A healthy Ekeler should be the priority, not which team they will be facing in the playoffs. The nagging injuries are starting to mount and it behooves them to be very cautious with his touches the last two games. Kelley took over 3rd down duties, but should also be in on all short yardage/GL touches.

I think we'll see more Kelly than normal to try and reduce wear and tear on ekeler. I'd be surprised if they don't go to ekeler at the goaline if the game is close though. He's just too strong to leave out in those situations, and makes a better play action decoy.

If they have nothing to play for next week, I'd expect he, and most other key players will do a lot of sitting.

yeah, I agree with all of this.

 

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler rushed 10 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers’ Week 17 game against the Rams, adding four receptions for an additional 39 yards.​

Ekeler was was pulled early in the fourth quarter after the Chargers established a big lead. He was the Chargers’ offensive engine in Week 17. Not known for being a prolific rusher this season, Ekeler raced 72 yards on his second touchdown of the day. A great day for him and you if you had him in your fantasy lineups.
Jan 1, 2023, 7:02 PM ET

 

[Stat Correction]

He had himself starting on his own fantasy team for the Ship. We need more players that roll like that, instead of poo-pooing on FF....which brings in countless millions of fans/viewers.

 

[Faust]

Austin Ekeler rushed 13 times for 35 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers' Wild Card loss to the Jaguars, adding two receptions for eight additional yards.​

Although Ekeler was near the bottom of the Chargers' 99 problems in their stunning 31-30 loss after blowing a 27-0 lead, his inability to sustain second half drives on the ground highlighted the Bolts' ongoing issues finding a proper backfield mate for their all-world goal line/third-down back. Amongst the most prolific touchdown scorers in recent memory, Ekeler tallied 18 more scores during the regular campaign, though he did see his yards per reception fall from 9.2 to 6.7 in the Chargers' horribly predictable offense. They simply have to get a better deep passing game and between-the-tackles rushing attack for 2023, the final year of Ekeler's contract. He's definitely a candidate for an offseason extension heading into his age-28 campaign, but that is a risky age to further commit to a running back.
Jan 14, 2023, 11:59 PM ET

 

[BeTheMatch]

Took over a dynasty team that is in total rebuild mode. Has Ekeler. What draft pick (non-SF) would be reasonable to get for him?

 

[JohnnyU]

Took over a dynasty team that is in total rebuild mode. Has Ekeler. What draft pick (non-SF) would be reasonable to get for him?

1.04, but not me

 

[IHEARTFF]

Took over a dynasty team that is in total rebuild mode. Has Ekeler. What draft pick (non-SF) would be reasonable to get for him?

would ask for 1.2

 

[zeeshan2]

[Schefter] Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler is requesting permission to speak with other teams about a potential trade after preliminary talks with the team aimed at a contract extension did not progress, his agent Cameron Weiss told ESPN.

 

[Boston]

[Schefter] Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler is requesting permission to speak with other teams about a potential trade after preliminary talks with the team aimed at a contract extension did not progress, his agent Cameron Weiss told ESPN.

Wow...that is interesting news...hell of a player but he will be 28 in May so not sure if there is a big extension out there for him.

 

[menobrown]

You want to talk about a potential homerun spot for Bijan.

 

[Winning IS Everything]

[Schefter] Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler is requesting permission to speak with other teams about a potential trade after preliminary talks with the team aimed at a contract extension did not progress, his agent Cameron Weiss told ESPN.

Wow...that is interesting news...hell of a player but he will be 28 in May so not sure if there is a big extension out there for him.

I agree, I just don't see this happening.

 

[menobrown]

[Schefter] Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler is requesting permission to speak with other teams about a potential trade after preliminary talks with the team aimed at a contract extension did not progress, his agent Cameron Weiss told ESPN.

Wow...that is interesting news...hell of a player but he will be 28 in May so not sure if there is a big extension out there for him.

I agree, I just don't see this happening.

I think something will need to give in this situation and it's at tough spot for both of them.

Ekeler is about to be 28 and in last year of a cheap deal and trying to make what he can.

Chargers are extremely cash strapped.I think they did all the re-structuring they could do already, pushed a ton of money into next year, just so they could get about $20"ishM to work with this year, with that money used to rookie pool and FA so it's not much. And they will be trying to extend Herbert.

If another team wants to extend Ekeler I can actually see something happening here.

 

[efactor]

Mama’s don’t let your babies grow up to be RBs.

Eckler deserves to get paid but won’t because of age and lack of longevity for RBs. Sucks for him.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Mama’s don’t let your babies grow up to be RBs.

Eckler deserves to get paid but won’t because of age and lack of longevity for RBs. Sucks for him.

And the absolute glut of FA & rookie RB coming.