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Austin Ekeler had a typical stat line in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season. He had 16 carries for 117 yards and a rushing touchdown. But his pass-catching ability makes him a top-notch fantasy football asset.
He had four catches for 47 yards in their season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Those numbers translate to 22.4 fantasy football points in standard and half-PPR formats, the eighth-most among all players last week.
His ranking increased to seventh in PPR leagues with 26.4 points per game. As fantastic as he was against the Dolphins, his availability for Week 2 is in jeopardy.
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Austin Ekeler Injury Update
On Saturday September 16th, Austin Ekeler was officially ruled out for the Week 2 game against the Titans. This is an update to the below article which was written prior to this injury update on Saturday.
Austin Ekeler Skipped Week 2 Practices
Austin Ekeler did not practice all week due to an ankle injury. Typically, players who missed practices from Wednesday to Friday do not play in the succeeding game. As ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted, Ekeler is doubtful for Week 2.
There’s still a glimmer of hope that he will suit up against the Titans. The Chargers must release another update to finalize if he will be out of action. Sitting out Week 2 will be the first time he will miss a game since 2020 when he suffered a hamstring injury and a hyperextended knee.
Austin Ekeler Week 2 Fantasy Outlook
His fantasy prospects for Week 2 will heavily depend on his availability. Therefore, his fantasy owners must monitor for the latest updates to make the necessary roster moves. If he doesn’t play, Joshua Kelley should be an excellent alternate for him after going for 91 rushing yards and a touchdown in Week 1. You can also check other running back options from the RotoBaller Waiver Wire Pickups List.
However, the Titans are one of the best teams in stopping the run. Last season, they were the best in the league, allowing only 76.9 yards per game. That trend continued when they gave up 69 yards to the New Orleans Saints last week.
Therefore, Ekeler’s numbers in the ground game might take a hit if he plays against Tennessee. As fantastic as the Titans were in run defense, they’ve allowed 282 passing yards, the fifth-worst in Week 1.
For this reason, retain Austin Ekeler as an RB1 or a high-end RB2. He could make up his potentially low rushing output with more receiving yards if he plays. Remember, he has 15 receiving touchdowns over the previous two seasons.
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