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Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler went undrafted during the 2017 NFL Draft. Ekeler had a quiet rookie season, totaling 47 rushing attempts for 260 yards and two touchdowns.
The former Western State star spent the early part of his career backing up Melvin Gordon. However, things changed in 2019. Ekeler started the year with Gordon holding out for a new contract. The former undrafted free agent had 224 touches for 1,550 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns that year.
More importantly, he has become a fantasy superstar over the past few years. Ekeler had 410 rushing attempts for 1,826 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2021 and 2022. The superstar also had 177 receptions on 221 targets for 1,369 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns over those two seasons.
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Is Austin Ekeler Playing In Week 4?
Ekeler had an impressive Week 1 performance against the Miami Dolphins, totaling 16 rushing attempts for 117 yards and a touchdown. He also caught four of five targets for 47 receiving yards in the game. Unfortunately, the superstar suffered an ankle injury in the loss.
The veteran missed the Week 2 matchup against the Tennessee Titans and last week’s contest against the Minnesota Vikings because of the ankle injury. However, he did practice this week. Unfortunately, the Chargers have listed Ekeler as doubtful to play against the Las Vegas Raiders.
However, fantasy players shouldn’t be surprised by the move. The team has a bye in Week 5. That will give Ekeler two more weeks to get healthy. While the decision is unfortunate this week, it is the right move for the superstar’s season-long health.
Should I Start Joshua Kelley?
Kelley was outstanding in Week 1 against the Dolphins. The former UCLA star had 16 rushing attempts for 91 yards in defeat, scoring 15.1 half-point PPR fantasy points.
Unfortunately, Kelley has struggled over the past two weeks as the starter. He has 24 rushing attempts for 51 yards, averaging 2.1 yards per attempt. More importantly, the veteran has been the RB56 since Week 1, averaging only 3.1 fantasy points per game.
While fantasy players might refuse to start the former UCLA star this week, Kelley does have a fantasy-friendly matchup against the Raiders. The AFC West division rivals have surrendered 23.1 fantasy points per game to running backs this season, the seventh-most in the NFL. Kelley is a low-end RB2 or high-end flex option.
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