KALEN BALLAGE NEWS

Totals 39 yards in return Ballage (ankle) carried the ball seven times for 34 yards and also caught three of his four targets for five yards in Sunday's 45-0 loss to the Patriots.

Impact It's hard to really read much into Ballage's usage given how quickly the Chargers trailed in this contest. The 24-year-old saw one fewer carry than stalwart Austin Ekeler, but the difference in targets (nine to four) should be expected given the dramatic difference in the score. Seeing 38 percent of the offensive snaps is notable considering Joshua Kelley registered just 23 percent of the offensive snaps in Ekeler's return from injury last week, so we can at least rule out the possibility Ballage could get phased out of the offense entirely. By default, expect a better performance from Ballage and company next week against the Falcons.

DECEMBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Suits up Sunday Ballage (ankle) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Impact Ballage is back in the Chargers' backfield mix after sitting out the team's Week 12 loss to the Bills. However, with Austin Ekeler having reclaimed his role as the team's lead runner, Ballage's fantasy upside has dipped following a three-game run (Weeks 9 through 11) in which he was featured by the team while Ekeler was sidelined.

DECEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Likely playing Sunday Ballage (ankle), who is listed as questionable, is expected to play Sunday against the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact The 24-year-old received the questionable tag despite being able to practice with no limitations Friday, so it's not a major surprise he'll be suiting up versus New England. Ballage was handling the lead role in the Chargers' backfield before sitting out Week 12, but Austin Ekeler made his return from injured reserve and picked up 25 touches after the six-game absence. Ballage likely will operate as the team's secondary tailback while Ekeler continues to handle the majority of the work.

DECEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable despite full practice Ballage (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Impact Ballage upgraded to full participation Friday after a pair of limited sessions, so he's more likely than not to be out there on game day. Even if he suits up, Ballage's role is likely to be limited with sparkplug Austin Ekeler back in the fold for the Chargers. Ekeler handled 25 touches with Ballage unavailable last week and should continue to see the majority of work regardless of Ballage's status.

DECEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited again Thursday Ballage (ankle) remained limited at practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Impact Back-to-back limited practice sessions give Ballage a chance to return to action Sunday against the Patriots, but with Austin Ekeler now back in the mix and having reclaimed his role as the Chargers' top RB, Ballage's fantasy stock has taken a hit since he last suited up and logged 16 carries in Week 11.

DECEMBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited at practice Ballage (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Impact After pacing the Los Angeles backfield in touches for three straight games, Ballage sat out last week's loss to the Bills with the injury. Fortunately for the Chargers, top back Austin Ekeler was cleared to return from injured reserve ahead of the contest, and he immediately reclaimed a three-down role. Since he was limited in practice last week before sitting out against Buffalo, Ballage can't yet be considered a lock to return against the Patriots in Week 13. Even if he does gain clearance for the weekend, Ballage's fantasy value has already taken a major hit, as Ekeler will likely continue to lead the way in terms of both snaps and touches the rest of the way so long as he stays healthy.

DECEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Hinton promoted with all 4 Denver QBs out

With their four quarterbacks all out, the Denver Broncos have promoted rookie receiver Kendall Hinton from their practice squad Sunday to play QB against the New Orleans Saints

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not fit to play Week 12 Ballage (ankle/calf) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Impact After his two injuries limited him in practice all week, Ballage was deemed a game-time call heading into Sunday. He ultimately wasn't able to convince the Los Angeles coaching and training staffs that he could play through the injuries, resulting in him being ruled out of the contest. Fortunately for the Chargers, they'll be getting top running back Austin Ekeler (hamstring) back from a two-month absence Sunday, so Ballage looks like he'll be headed for a reserve role if he's able to get healthy in time for a Week 13 matchup with the Patriots.

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Kalen Ballage Injury Update Improves Joshua Kelley Week 12 Fantasy Outlook The Los Angeles Chargers' backfield will look a lot different this week as current starter Kalen Ballage is not expected to play this Sunday...

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • FANDUEL.COM

Viewed as game-time call Ballage (ankle/calf), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Bills, is being treated as a game-time decision, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Adam Schefter of ESPN previously relayed Saturday that Ballage wasn't expected to play, but Rapoport's report paints the 24-year-old as more of a 50-50 call for the Week 12 contest. Even if he gains clearance prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Ballage looks set to fall into more of a change-of-pace role after handling 21 touches per game over the Chargers' last three contests. Los Angeles will return No. 1 back Austin Ekeler (hamstring) from an eight-week absence Sunday, and while he may not take on a true bell-cow role in his first game since Week 4, he's expected to pace the backfield in snaps and touches.

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Trending down for Sunday Ballage (ankle) isn't expected to play Sunday against the Bills, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact The 24-year-old is officially considered questionable, but his status for Sunday's contest is apparently in doubt. Ballage has dominated the backfield work the past three games with 49 carries for 181 yards and 14 receptions for 76 yards, but his outlook for Week 12 is severely diminished due to the ankle injury and the return of Austin Ekeler (hamstring) from injured reserve. Ekeler was activated Saturday and should reclaim the lead role in the backfield, but the team may not immediately give him a full workload since he hasn't seen game action since Week 4. If Ballage is unavailable, Joshua Kelley and Troymaine Pope are the remaining backfield options for the Chargers.

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Bills' Allen shows growth since last start against Chargers

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is fine with being reminded of the last time he faced the Los Angeles Chargers

NOVEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kalen Ballage Fantasy Outlook Remains Strong Following Austin Ekeler Injury Update Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler has been out since Week 4 with a hamstring injury. With Ekeler being "unlikely" to play in t...

NOVEMBER 27, 2020 • FANDUEL.COM

Status in question for Week 12 Ballage (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Buffalo.

Impact Earlier this week, the Chargers opened Austin Ekeler's (hamstring) 21-day window to return from IR. They'll have to make a decision on Ekeler by Saturday afternoon, but the current starting running back, Ballage, is entering the weekend with a cloud hanging over his head. Assuming he suits up, Ballage may have to contend with Ekeler for reps, with Joshua Kelley and Troymaine Pope also potentially mixing into L.A.'s backfield.

NOVEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Bills vs Chargers features matchup of NFL's top two passers

The Bills' Josh Allen and Chargers rookie Justin Herbert face off in Buffalo this weekend in a showdown of the NFL's two leaders in yards passing

NOVEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Remains limited Thursday Ballage (ankle/calf) was limited at practice Thursday.

Impact That was also the case Wednesday, which sets the stage for Friday's final injury report of the week to clarify whether Ballage ends up listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills, or minus a Week 12 injury designation.

NOVEMBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

On Week 12 injury report Ballage was limited at practice Wednesday with ankle and calf injuries, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Impact Ballage's status for Sunday's game against the Bills must now be monitored, but on the plus side for the Chargers, Austin Ekeler (hamstring) was cleared to resume practicing Wednesday. Once Ekeler is activated from injured reserve, Ballage's fantasy value will take a hit, but that's not a lock to occur this week. In any case, if Ballage ends up unavailable or limited this weekend, added opportunities could be available for Joshua Kelley and Troymaine Pope.

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

LA Chargers: Should the Bolts bring back Kalen Ballage next season? Injuries haven't been kind to the LA Chargers this season, but there is a silver lining with all bad situations. With running backs Austin E...

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • BOLTBEAT.COM

Produces 71 scrimmage yards Ballage carried 16 times for 44 yards and caught seven of nine targets for 27 yards during Sunday's 34-28 win over the Jets.

Impact Despite his team leading for much of the day and having plenty of success in the passing game, Ballage averaged just 2.8 yards per carry. He finished second on the team in targets and receptions but did little with his touches in that phase of the game as well. Although the results were lackluster, Ballage now has at least 70 scrimmage yards in all three of his games with the Chargers and will be the team's main runner for as long as Austin Ekeler (hamstring/knee) is sidelined. The latter seemingly has a chance to return next Sunday against the Bills, but it remains to be seen how the touches are distributed if he does play.

NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

DFS: DraftKings & FanDuel – Week 11 Value Plays It’s chalk week… again. Taysom Hill, Adrian Peterson and Kalen Ballage are expected to have the high...

NOVEMBER 22, 2020 • FANTASYSHARKS.COM

Pressing fantasy football questions regarding Taysom Hill, Kalen Ballage and more from our NFL insiders Our NFL insiders answer pressing fantasy football questions regarding Salvon Ahmed, James Conner, Justin Jefferson and many more.

NOVEMBER 20, 2020 • THEATHLETIC.COM

FanDuel Hurry Up: Kalen Ballage Is a Great Value Play for Week 11 Each Sunday finding those players that offer both savings and production can be difficult. Luckily, the FanDuel Hurry Up show took a look at...

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • FANDUEL.COM

Officially named top RB Coach Anthony Lynn said Monday that Ballage will be the Chargers' "primary back" moving forward, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Impact Lynn also said that he wants to scheme Ballage "more looks," though the third-year pro is coming off a loss to the Dolphins in which he handled 23 touches and surpassed 100 scrimmage yards. The 231-pound bruiser's grip on the No. 1 gig will likely only last as long as Austin Ekeler (hamstring) remains on IR, but he'll at least draw one more start against another of his former teams during Sunday's matchup against the Jets. It's also possible that Ballage could remain active in a complementary role whenever Ekeler does return to the field.

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lions' Swift, Cardinals' Hopkins among best bets to score

It’s Week 11 of the fantasy football season, and these are the top five best bets to score at the running back and wide receiver positions

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fantasy Waiver Wire: FAAB Report for Week 11 pickups, free agents Plenty of RBs (Nyheim Hines, Salvon Ahmed, Kalen Ballage), WRs (Jakobi Meyers, Josh Reynolds), and even a QB (Jameis Winston) are among the...

NOVEMBER 17, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM