Titans' Henry, Seahawks' Lockett among best bets to score
Week 3 is here and with it comes a bevy of potentially fruitful matchupsSEPTEMBER 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN EKELER #30 - RUNNING BACK - WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
333 YDS •
65 ATT •
4 TD
333 YDS
65 ATT
4 TD
Totals 115 yards Ekeler recorded nine carries for 54 yards and also caught all nine of his targets for 61 yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Cowboys.
Impact It wasn't exactly a healthy workload on the ground, but Ekeler did manage to outcarry Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree by a combined nine to five margin. It was encouraging to see the talented pass catcher get involved through the passing game, picking up a critical 20-yard catch down the left sideline that sent Ekeler to the injury tent before emerging later in the contest. The 26-year-old hasn't exactly been the type of featured back some assumed would occur in the Joe Lombardi system, but he's been a comfortably productive asset in an explosive offense to start the season and should see more opportunities in better matchups to come.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
The Latest: Cowboys-Chargers make NFL 14-11 halftime history
The NFL has the first 14-11 halftime score in its 102 seasonsSEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 2
Despite Aaron Rodgers’ poor game in Week 1, the simulations are high on him to post a top-12 week against the Detroit Lions, who allowed Jimmy Garoppolo to throw for 314 yards on j...SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chargers look to deal Cowboys first 0-2 start since 2010
The Los Angeles Chargers look for their fourth straight win over Dallas when they host the Cowboys on SundaySEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
NFL Today, Week 1
NFL Today, Week 1SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Keenan Allen & Austin Ekeler Postgame Press Conferences Week 1 vs. WFT ' LA Chargers
SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • YOUTUBE
Scores touchdown in season debut Ekeler (hamstring) carried the ball 15 times for 57 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-16 win over Washington.
Impact Notably, Ekeler wasn't even targeted in this contest, as quarterback Justin Herbert rarely saw enough pressure to force any checkdowns. Considering the running back was listed as questionable heading into Sunday's contest after a mid-week hamstring injury, fantasy managers still have to be happy with Ekeler's explosiveness, particularly after contact. The Chargers notably used a plethora of two-back sets with Larry Rountree mixing into the rotation, so any hopes of Ekeler having a monopoly on the backfield opportunities predictably were dashed, However, it seemed incredibly unlikely such a situation would occur under new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi anyhow. Expect more production next week against a Cowboys defense that was picked apart Week 1.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rashawn Slater helps pave lane for Austin Ekeler's opening-drive TD Los Angeles Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater helps pave a lane for running back Austin Ekeler's opening-drive touchdown.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • NFL.COM
The Latest: Mahomes rallies Chiefs to win over Browns
The Kansas City Chiefs started slowly on Sunday but did more of what they’ve done quite a bit over the past few years — winSEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Active for season opener Ekeler (hamstring) is listed as active for Sunday's game against Washington.
Impact After missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, Ekeler looked good upon his return to the field Friday and he'll give it a go Sunday, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network indicating that the running back should be full-go versus Washington. In the process, Ekeler is in line to head to the Chargers' ground game in Week 1, with Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree on hand to work in complementary/change-of-pace roles.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Austin Ekeler Injury Update Boosts Week 1 Fantasy Outlook Austin Ekeler fantasy managers were given a bit of a scare this week. The 26-year-old missed a few practices this week due to a hamstring is...
SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM
Week 1 fantasy football rankings, projections and sleepers: What to do with Ty'Son Willims, Austin Ekeler and more (Updated) Jake Ciely has his Week 1 fantasy football rankings, projections and sleepers, starting with Trey Sermon and Elijah Moore
SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Expected to play Sunday Ekeler (hamstring) is on track to suit up Sunday against Washington, barring any pregame setbacks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Impact Though Ekeler missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, he looked good in his return Friday and is trending toward being able to go in Week 1. Confirmation of the status of the Chargers' top back will arrive before the first wave of games Sunday, with the team kicking off at 1:00 ET.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Fantasy Injury Updates: Austin Ekeler, Saquon Barkley affecting Week 1 start 'em, sit 'em decisions There aren't many big RB injury worries in Week 1, but what's lacking in quantity is made up for in quality. Austin Ekeler and Saquon Barkle...
SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Austin Ekeler Injury Update Cements His Week 1 Fantasy Outlook Austin Ekeler fantasy football owners were given a scare earlier this week when the Los Angeles Chargers running back missed two practices w...
SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM
Optimism regarding Sunday's status Coach Brandon Staley noted Friday that he's optimistic Ekeler (hamstring) will play in Sunday's season opener against Washington, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Impact Ekeler's return to practice in a limited fashion Friday initially offered hope that he'd have a chance to suit up this weekend after not practicing Wednesday or Thursday. Now things are looking up even more, after Staley relayed that the running back "looked good out there" during the team's final practice session of the week. With that, Ekeler appears to be heading in the right direction as Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff approaches.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable for Week 1 Ekeler (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's season opener against Washington after returning to a limited practice Friday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Impact We'll look for added context with regard to Ekeler's Week 1 status leading up to the contest, but fortunately for those considering the running back in fantasy lineups, the Chargers kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. In the event that he's limited or out this weekend, Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree are next up for the team's backfield touches.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Spotted at practice Ekeler (hamstring) participated in the media-access portion of Friday's practice, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.
Impact Ekeler logged back-to-back DNPs to start the week, so his presence on the field Friday is encouraging. The Chargers' final Week 1 injury report will reveal the running back's participation level as well what, if any, injury designation he will carry into Sunday's season opener against Washington.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Washington WR Curtis Samuel to IR, out at least 3 games
Coach Ron Rivera says Washington is putting wide receiver Curtis Samuel on short-term injured reserveSEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Injury mailbag: Need-to-know information on Austin Ekeler, Saquon Barkley, D'Andre Swift and more Get the Inside Injuries scoop from Virginia Zakas on the key injuries that are currently weighing on fantasy managers heading into Week 1.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Logs another missed practice Ekeler (hamstring) was officially listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice.
Impact Back-to-back DNPs set the stage for Friday's practice to be pivotal with regard to Ekeler's chances of suiting up for Sunday's game against Washington. If the Chargers' top back is limited or out this weekend, added opportunities would be available for some combo of Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Not taking part in individual drills Though Ekeler (hamstring) suited up for practice Thursday, he didn't participate in individual drills during the media-access portion of the session, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange...
Impact Ekeler was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, so his presence on the field Thursday appears to support the notion that his hamstring issue isn't a major concern. That said, added context -- specifically, the running back's official participation level -- regarding his Week 1 status will arrive once the Chargers' second injury report of the week is submitted.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Hamstring injury being downplayed The Chargers are optimistic that Ekeler's hamstring injury won't prevent him from playing in Sunday's season opener at Washington, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.
Impact Ekeler made a surprise appearance on the Chargers' first official injury report of 2021, as the hamstring injury resulted in him working out on the side with triners at Wednesday's practice rather than taking part in team drills. Based on Kyed's report, the Chargers' decision to hold Ekeler out of practice may have been precautionary to some degree, though the fact that the running back missed six games in 2020 due to the same injury isn't the most encouraging sign. Ultimately, the extent of Ekeler's activity in the Chargers' remaining two practices of the week Thursday and Friday and how he looks in those sessions will determine whether he carries a designation into Sunday's game.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Fantasy Injury Update: Gus Edwards, Austin Ekeler, D'Andre Swift, Saquon Barkley affect Week 1 RB rankings Gus Edwards, Austin Ekeler, D'Andre Swift, and Saquon Barkley highlight our RB injury updates on the cusp of the start of Week 1. Get the la...
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
