Austin Ekeler Ruled Out For Week 3: Should I Start Joshua Kelley For Fantasy Football?

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler was a consensus top-five fantasy football draft pick ahead of the 2023 NFL season. Ekeler rewarded those who selected him with a monstrous outing in Week 1 of the season.

Unfortunately, the superstar RB has been dealing with an ankle injury that he suffered in the season opener against Miami. Ekeler was forced to miss the Chargers Week 2 clash with the Tennessee Titans and has been unable to practice this week ahead of L.A.'s Week 3 meeting with the Minnesota Vikings.

What is the latest update on Ekeler's injury? Has Ekeler been ruled out for Week 3? Should I start Chargers running back Joshua Kelley for fantasy football in Week 3?

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Has Austin Ekeler Been Ruled Out For Week 3?

After missing L.A.'s Week 2 game against the Tennessee Titans with an ankle injury suffered in the season opener, Austin Ekeler has been unable to participate in practice this week ahead of the Chargers' Week 3 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

Unfortunately, after missing the team's Friday practice session, the Chargers have officially ruled Ekeler out for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

The #Chargers ruled out RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) for Sunday's game vs. Minnesota, his second straight game missed. pic.twitter.com/w67EFayaWm

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 22, 2023

Should I Start Joshua Kelley In Week 3 Fantasy Football?

Kelley performed well in the Chargers season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Despite sharing time with Ekeler, Kelley amassed 16 rushing attempts for 91 yards and a touchdown, scoring 15.1 half-point PPR fantasy points in Week 1.

Unfortunately, Kelley couldn't carry that momentum into a Week 2 matchup with the Tennessee Titans. While replacing Ekeler in the Chargers backfield, he struggled mightily against a rugged Titans run defense, picking up just 39 yards on 13 carries.

If Austin Ekeler is ruled out for Week 3, expect Joshua Kelley to have a better game against the Vikings than he did against the Titans.

D’Andre Swift had 28 carries, 175 rushing yards, and 1 TD, averaging 6.25 yards per carry in Week 2 against Minnesota.

Kelley had 13 carries… pic.twitter.com/BU5Y54me08

— Chargers Central (@BoltCentral) September 20, 2023

With Ekeler now officially ruled out again for Week 3, Kelley should find things much easier against a Minnesota Vikings unit that was shredded on the ground in Week 2. The Vikes allowed an eye-opening 259 yards on the ground in a Thursday night loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Minnesota has now relinquished the NFL's fourth-most rushing yards through the first two weeks of the season.

Fantasy managers with Kelley on their rosters should feel comfortable locking him into their starting lineups in Week 3. Though he likely won't post Ekeler-type fantasy numbers, Kelley has a clear path to a large workload against a poor Minnesota run defense in a game that carries one of the highest projected point totals on the Week 3 slate. This is a prime bounce-back spot for Kelley and his fantasy managers.

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