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Update, Sept. 22 — Ekeler has been ruled out for Week 8. He will be replaced by Joshua Kelley once again, but in a much better matchup than last week.
Update, Sept. 22 — Ekeler is not expected to practice on Friday. This marks two consecutive weeks where he has been unable to take the practice field due to his ankle injury. He likely won’t play on Sunday, but we will get the final injury report Friday afternoon.
#Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is not expected to practice today, per source, putting his availability for Sunday's game in jeopardy. Ekeler also missed Wednesday and Thursday practices along with last week’s game.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 22, 2023
Update, Sept. 21 — Ekeler is still not practicing on Thursday. He was reported to still be watching practice, but it won’t mean much until he is able to get back on the practice field. If he doesn’t practice on Friday, he will likely miss his second game in a row.
RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is not practicing today. He is out here again, though.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) September 21, 2023
Update, Sept. 20 — Ekeler was watching practice on Wednesday as he continues to recover from his ankle injury that kept him out of Week 2. If he can’t go against the Vikings, Joshua Kelley would get the start again.
#Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is not practicing during media viewing. He is on the field watching.
— Jeff Miller (@JeffMillerLAT) September 20, 2023
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley told the media on Monday that there is no timetable for when running back Austin Ekeler will return from his ankle injury. Ekeler tweaked his ankle during their Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins, a game where he had 117 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground along with four receptions for 47 receiving yards.
The star veteran tailback missed all of practice last week and was ultimately held out of Sunday’s 27-24 over time loss to the Tennessee Titans. With Staley declaring that there is no timetable for his return, the chances of him suiting up for their Week 3 matchup at the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday doesn’t look too promising.
Fantasy football implications for Week 3
If Ekeler is declared out, backup Joshua Kelley will once again step up as the starter for the Bolts. He did not make much of an impact in their Week 2 loss against Tennessee, rushing for just 39 yards off 13 carries. However, the volume of touches he got indicates that he’ll still factor in heavy to L.A.’s game plan and that’s worth rolling the dice once again for any prospective fantasy manager.