OCTOBER 15, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
ISAIAH SPILLER
Chargers notebook: J.C. Jackson tries to get his 'swag back'; Isaiah Spiller eager Los Angeles is counting on their high-priced cornerback to be much better than he has in coverage so far.
Inactive for Week 2 Spiller is inactive for Thursday night's game against Kansas City.
Impact With Spiller the odd man out for now, the Chargers' Week 2 backfield is slated to be led by Austin Ekeler, with Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel on hand to handle complementary work versus the Chiefs.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Considered week-to-week Spiller (ankle) is considered week-to-week, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.
Impact He won't play in the Chargers' final preseason game and can be considered questionable for Week 1 against the Raiders. Even if he gets healthy, it isn't clear Spiller will have a role in the season opener, as he ran behind Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree this preseason. The rookie fourth-round pick is capable of moving ahead of those players as the year progresses, but this ankle injury probably ends any chance Spiller will do it before Week 1.
AUGUST 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Suffers ankle injury Spiller suffered an ankle injury in Saturday's preseason game against the Cowboys and is questionable to return.
Impact Spiller was the third back to earn a carry for the Chargers, behind both Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree. Spiller also was ineffective with the opportunity given, tallying only three rushes for three yards prior to his exit. It's unclear how long the issue may sideline him, but it appears as if he has plenty of work to do to make an impact in the offense.
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
What Derwin James' record-setting deal means for Chargers
Derwin James' deal makes him the highest-paid safety in NFL history, but what does it mean for L.A.? Eric D. Williams breaks it down.AUGUST 17, 2022
Garners 44 total yards in debut Spiller rushed 10 times for 34 yards and brought in his only target for 10 yards in the Chargers' 29-22 preseason loss to the Rams on Saturday night.
Impact The rookie fourth-round pick saw his first carry with 4:39 remaining in the first half as the third running back in, and he ended up pacing the Chargers in carries and rushing yards. While Spiller wasn't exactly efficient on the ground, he was also playing behind an assortment of second- and third-team offensive linemen. Spiller remains in a battle with the likes of Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree for positioning behind Austin Ekeler, and he should have ample opportunity to make his case again in next Saturday night's home preseason clash against the Cowboys.
AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Isaiah Spiller On RB Competition: "It's Been Fierce Every Day" Running back Isaiah Spiller talks about adjusting to the NFL, competition in the running back room, and getting better each and every day.
AUGUST 6, 2022 • CHARGERS.COM
Working with backups Spiller has primarily worked with the second- and third-team offenses at training camp, but Daniel Popper of The Athletic notes that the rookie's "physicality is starting to pop" n...
Impact The rookie fourth-round pick will need more than brute strength and determination to earn a role, but those traits certainly help when competing for part-time work behind a smaller, versatile back like Chargers starter Austin Ekeler. While previous draft picks Joshua Kelley (2020 fourth-round choice) and Larry Rountree (2021 sixth-round choice) failed to take advantage of similar opportunities the past two years, Spiller still has time to make an impression this summer. If he fails to do so, the Chargers could go with Rountree or Kelley off the bench or else could use an unpredictable rotation the way they did for much of last season.
AUGUST 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Showcasing receiving chops in camp Spiller has impressed as a pass-catcher in training camp, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Impact Popper also notes that Spiller has spent some time on the third-team offense early on, but the rookie out of Texas A&M is still in the running to overtake Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree in the competition for the No. 2 spot on the Chargers' running back depth chart. In addition to making an impact in the passing game, Spiller also had the most impressive run out of the three at Wednesday's practice, so he seems to be emerging as the early leader to slot in behind Austin Ekeler on the depth chart.
JULY 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Chargers Rookie RB Isaiah Spiller Shows Off Footwork in Offseason Training Video Chargers rookie Isaiah Spiller works on fine-tuning footwork this offseason.
JULY 8, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Chargers Rookie RB Isaiah Spiller Shows Off Footwork in Offseason Training Video Chargers rookie Isaiah Spiller works on fine-tuning footwork this offseason.
JULY 8, 2022 • SACBEE.COM
Questions From a Popeyes Box: Isaiah Spiller Rookie running back Isaiah Spiller tells all about what is his favorite memory from college is, whether grilled cheese is better with or wit...
JUNE 23, 2022 • CHARGERS.COM
Chargers Sign Fourth-Round Pick Isaiah Spiller to Rookie Contract The Chargers have reached an agreement with running back Isaiah Spiller on his rookie contract.
JUNE 10, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson Offers High Praise for Chargers' Rookie RB Isaiah Spiller LaDainian Tomlinson says he’s a “big fan” of Chargers rookie running back Isaiah Spiller.
JUNE 8, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Chargers QB Justin Herbert intent on taking control of L.A. offense
Justin Herbert set records for passing yards and TDs in his first two seasons, but he's just getting started, writes Eric D. Williams.MAY 25, 2022
Could land RB2 role Spiller profiles as the front-runner for the Chargers' No. 2 running back job behind starter Austin Ekeler, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Impact With last year's top backup Justin Jackson not having been re-signed, there's a path for Spiller to claim the No. 2 role behind Ekeler. To do so, the Texas A&M product will have to beat out both Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree, but that's a plausible outcome, given that Spiller -- who the Chargers list at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds -- supplements his physical and elusive running style with solid enough hands to contribute as a pass-catcher. As long as Ekeler remains healthy, Spiller -- who is bouncing back from a strained adductor muscle -- may not see steady volume, but if he indeed slots in ahead of Kelley and Rountree, the 2022 fourth-rounder would be a candidate to see an uptick in fantasy value in the event that Ekeler misses time for any reason.
MAY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
2022 NFL Draft Grades: Chiefs use extra picks to nab top AFC West class
The Kansas City Chiefs used the picks acquired for Tyreek Hill to assemble the AFC West's top draft class, Rob Rang writes.MAY 3, 2022
NFL odds: Pickett, Willis and Hall lead NFL Offensive Rookie of Year futures
The 2022 NFL Draft has officially concluded, so we took a look at the opening odds for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year at FOX Bet.MAY 1, 2022
Excellent landing spot with LA The Chargers selected Spiller (groin) in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 123rd overall.
Impact The Chargers didn't have many needs entering the 2022 NFL Draft, but the selection of Spiller shores up an obvious weak spot on the roster. The Texas A&M product was billed as a possible second-round selection after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, but after straining his adductor prior to the combine and subsequently running a 4.63 40-yard dash at his pro day, it became clear Spiller was not a high-round back that some projected. That being said, the junior plays much faster on tape, particularly once getting into the open field, and he's a plus receiver even for his size (6-foot, 217 pounds). Los Angeles desperately needed a second back to take some workload off Austin Ekeler, and it's entirely possible Spiller might already be a better backup than lackluster incumbents Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree. Kelley, Rountree and Justin Jackson combined for 137 carries and 28 targets last season as part of the jumbled timeshare behind Ekeler. Expect Spiller to immediately assume most of those opportunities with the possibility for additional workload should the Chargers make good on their promise to limit Ekeler's exposure somewhat in 2022.
APRIL 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
