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Saturday update: Austin Ekeler announced on his Instagram that he tested positive again and is out for Week 16.
#chargers RB Austin Ekeler said in a video on his IG that he tested positive again today and is out for tomorrow. Said he’ll be back next week.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) December 25, 2021
Friday update: Head coach Brandon Staley hasn’t given up on Ekeler just yet, hoping he can be cleared in time to play for Week 16.
#Chargers HC Brandon Staley said everyone on COVID-19 list still has a chance to play Sunday, besides Joey Bosa and Kemon Hall. 14 players are on the Covid list, including Austin Ekeler and Corey Linsley
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) December 24, 2021
Thursday update: Ekeler has a fantasy football podcast on Yahoo Sports and told Bills TE Dawson Knox that he should grab Justin Jackson because he is on the COVID-19 list. This isn’t a big scoop, but he does sound like he doesn’t think he’ll be cleared in time for the game.
Dropping some fantasy advice on this week’s episode of Ekeler’s Edge
— Austin Ekeler (@AustinEkeler) December 23, 2021
The full episode with @lizloza_ff and this week’s guest @dawson_knox is out now on @yahoosports pic.twitter.com/0G8Niz1FQQ
Wednesday PM update: It took a while, but Ekeler has been officially placed on the COVID-19 list. The reason for the delay is unclear, but he will need to test out to be able to play this Sunday.
Wednesday update: Ekeler has yet to practice this week after reportedly testing positive for COVID-19. Ekeler never officially went on the COVID-19 list, but also isn’t practicing and thanked fans for their well wishes on Twitter. Hopefully we’ll learn more soon.
#Chargers RB Austin Ekeler was not at practice.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) December 22, 2021
Appreciate everyone who has reached out pic.twitter.com/Fn8s8VH8Go
— Austin Ekeler (@AustinEkeler) December 22, 2021
Monday PM update: Ekeler was not on the COVID-19 list that the Chargers submitted this afternoon. It’s still unclear exactly why at this point. Hopefully we’ll learn more soon.
As an FYI: Austin Ekeler was not actually placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list today. I don't know the reason why, but he was not on the list.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 20, 2021
The Los Angeles Chargers have placed their starting running back Austin Ekeler on the COVID-19 list heading into Week 16, per Taylor Bisciotti. He is considered day-to-day, which could mean his vaccinated or was just a close contact and wasn’t vaccinated. We’ll learn more in the coming days, but it sounds like he has a chance to play against the Texans this week.
If Ekeler can’t go this week, his touches would get split between Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley. Ekeler has been dealing with nagging injuries on and off this season, but has remained a great fantasy football asset, as he’s rushed for 789 yards and ten touchdowns, while catching 62 passes for 558 yards and seven more touchdowns.
Fantasy football implications
Justin Jackson has been the most used back after Ekeler, but things are fluid from week-to-week. Jackson would be the player I’d go for on waivers, but Kelley also has some fantasy appeal.