Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice -- his first official participation since going down in Week 1. Ekeler told NFL Network's Bridget Condon that he hasn't tried to push that injured ankle to 100% yet but if he can in practice this week then he wants to play vs. the Raiders on Sunday. "It's one of those things where you kind of progress with how fast it allows you to," Ekeler added. "You saw me back on the field today so mine's obviously in a good spot." We'll keep a close eye on his progress over the next few days. The Chargers have an upcoming Week 5 bye, but Ekeler said that won't impact whether he plays this weekend.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin tied for the team lead in targets (6) in Week 3. He caught all 6 but tallied only 41 yards against a Bills D that held Washington to 3 points. McLaurin’s now been held under 50 yards twice this season, which happened only four times all of 2022. He’s also tied with Jahan Dotson in 2023 target share (17.4%). Improved play from Sam Howell is a must if McLaurin is to get back to WR2 status. He figures to see plenty of top CB Darius Slay when Philly hosts the Commanders in Week 4.
Panthers LB Frankie Luvu left Sunday's loss to the Seahawks with a hip injury and did not return. We'll see about his status heading into Week 4. With fellow starter Shaq Thompson already out, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill tallied 10 tackles to lead the team. He'll be worth a pickup for Week 4 in many IDP leagues -- especially if Luvu is expected to miss further time.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero hears that Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is "hopeful" to return for Week 4. "But with a Week 5 bye looming, they could opt for more rest," Pelissero adds. We'll track Ekeler's progress this coming week.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Vikings. He didn’t practice all week, so it’s possible that he misses more time beyond Week 3. Joshua Kelley will again serve as the Chargers’ lead back on Sunday after playing 79% of the offensive snaps last week. Kelley is a nice RB2 play in a likely shootout.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. HC Brandon Staley said earlier this week that there's no timetable for Ekeler's return. Fantasy owners should not be banking on Ekeler playing in this weekend's game vs. the Vikings. That'd again leave Joshua Kelley as the Chargers' lead back.
On Monday, Chargers HC Brandon Staley shared that there's "no timeline" for RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) to return to play, per The Athletic's Daniel Popper. It's a vague message, though it sounds like fantasy managers shouldn't expect to see Ekeler suit up in Week 3 vs. the Vikings. Backup Joshua Kelley will presumably remain the lead back in Ekeler's absence. We'll keep tabs on this situation as more information becomes available.
Commanders RB Brian Robinson hogged backfield work in Sunday's win over Denver. The second-year man compiled 87 yards and 2 TDs on 18 attempts (4.8 YPC). Robinson added 2-42 receiving, while backup Antonio Gibson mixed in for only 5 total touches. Robinson believes this is just the beginning of a breakout season. “I know I got a lot more in the tank that I can show,” he said after the win. “I’m taking those strides week in and week out. Eventually, it’ll be all out on display.” Robinson will face a pair of tough matchups (Bills and Eagles) over the next two weeks. He remains an RB2.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweets that Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) "has a chance" to return for Week 3. We've heard whispers that Ekeler might be dealing with a high-ankle sprain, so it's good to hear that Week 3 is a possibility. We'll track his progress this coming week. Joshua Kelley steps in as Los Angeles' lead back vs. the Titans today.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game vs. the Titans. He didn't practice all week and certainly isn't a lock to make it back for Week 3. Joshua Kelley will operate as the Bolts' lead back this weekend and is a solid RB2 play, despite the negative matchup.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Titans. The team evidently doesn't want to rule Ekeler out just yet, but he didn't practice all week and is obviously a long shot. Ekeler's absence will leave Joshua Kelley as Los Angeles' lead back, with RBs Isaiah Spiller and Elijah Dotson behind him. This matchup is brutal against a Tennessee defense that ranked third in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs last year and held Saints RB Jamaal Williams to 52 scoreless yards in the 2023 opener. But Kelley is a strong bet for 15+ touches on an offense with a 24.0-point implied total, making him a solid RB2 play.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) missed practice again on Thursday. He's no longer on the injury report with "personal," so we know it's the ankle keeping him out. Ekeler is looking legitimately iffy for Sunday's game vs. the Titans. We'll see if he practices on Friday and how he's listed on the final injury report.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler did not practice on Wednesday. He's listed on the injury report with the ankle and "NIR - Personal." Ekeler was away from the team to attend the funeral of his agent, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, so we don't know if that ankle would have allowed him to practice. We'll get another update on Ekeler's status tomorrow, but it's certainly possible that he misses Sunday's game vs. the Titans. That'd leave Joshua Kelley as the Chargers' lead back.
Texans WR Noah Brown has been placed on IR, knocking him out for at least the next four games. That's significant because Brown played 68% of Houston's offensive snaps in the opener -- third among WRs. Rookie Tank Dell was fourth among Texans WRs in Week 1 snaps (48.1%) and figures to see a bump in playing time in Week 2. We'll see when WR John Metchie is ready to return from his hamstring injury.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler came away from Sunday's loss to the Dolphins with an ankle injury, NFL Network's Bridget Condon reports. HC Brandon Staley said Monday the RB's status is uncertain for Wednesday's practice. We'll obviously be tracking the situation closely throughout the week. RB Joshua Kelley ran even with Ekeler in carries against Miami. He'd likely land inside our top 24 if Ekeler can't go, though the Tennessee matchup was negative for rushers all last season and in Week 1 of this year. (Saints RB Jamaal Williams gained just 45 yards on 18 carries.) The team would also likely activate RB Isaiah Spiller, a healthy scratch in the opener.
Fantasy owners have no reason to complain about Austin Ekeler’s Week 1. He posted 26.4 PPR points on 20 touches, powered by one score and a sweet 55-yard run up the gut. He could have had even more, though. Justin Herbert scored on the ground from one yard out. Ekeler also watched Josh Kelley score from 2 yards out and handle 16 carries. New OC Kellen Moore seems to favor a rotation, but we’re far from concerned about Ekeler’s season-long outlook. He remains a high-end RB1.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin (turf toe) landed just 2 catches on 6 targets for 31 receiving yards in Sunday’s win vs. the Cardinals. Teammate Curtis Samuel led the team in receiving with 54 yards and a perfect 5-for-5 on his targets. McLaurin has dealt with this toe injury dating back to the preseason and practiced in a limited fashion for much of this week. It’s no surprise he got out-targeted by WR Jahan Dotson (5 for 40 yards on 7 targets) in Week 1, though we expect McLaurin’s impact to increase as he becomes further removed from the ailment. An underrated takeaway to consider before their Week 2 matchup vs. the Broncos is that TE Logan Thomas led the Commanders with 8 targets in this game—something to remember for those in deeper leagues.
Commanders RB Brian Robinson recorded 76% of the team’s backfield carries with 19 attempts for 59 rushing yards in Week 1’s victory over the Cardinals. Teammate RB Antonio Gibson saw 3 carries for 9 yards and added a single catch for 10 yards before a costly fumble saw him evaporate from the game. There are few things NFL coaches hate more than fumbles, and he paid dearly for it by being replaced by rookie RB Chris Rodriguez to end the contest. Fantasy managers will have a better idea of what the RB workshare split looks like in Week 2 vs. the Broncos, though it will be tough to bet against Robinson being the favorite Commanders’ back next Sunday.
Cardinals TE Zach Ertz led the team with 10 targets in Sunday’s loss vs. the Commanders, hauling in 6 catches for 21 yards. WRs Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore each saw 3 catches for 28 yards and 33 yards, respectively. Hopes for this Arizona offense aren’t particularly high as QB Kyler Murray continues to work his way back from a torn ACL. Still, a 33.3% target share from Ertz is a remarkable feat worth remembering for those in need of TE help out on the waiver wire. We’ll see if this usage continues in Week 2 vs. the Rams.
Cardinals TE Zach Ertz (knee) is active for today’s game vs. the Commanders. It marks an impressive return from last November’s torn ACL and MCL. We’d be surprised if Ertz was ready for a full slate of snaps, though. He’s not a viable Week 1 fantasy play.
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