The Chargers are set to hire Kellen Moore as their new OC, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Although we just learned that Moore was done in Dallas on Sunday, the Chargers had been working on this hire "for a while," per Rapoport. It's a great get for QB Justin Herbert and Co. Moore helped the Cowboys to top-11 finishes in both points and total yards in 3 of his 4 seasons -- with the only exception being 2020, when QB Dak Prescott missed most of the year. That included a 1st-place finish in both points and yards in 2021. Moore's Dallas offenses were balanced to run-leaning in terms of Pass Rate Over Expected, although he certainly seems willing to adjust his play calling to the personnel. Moore also deploys a fast-paced attack, with the Cowboys ranking top 4 in both pace and situation-neutral pace in all 4 of his seasons.
The Chargers have fired OC Joe Lombardi, according to NFL Network. Lombardi piloted Los Angeles to top 9 finishes in total yards in each of the past 2 seasons, despite dealing with a bunch of injuries to offensive linemen and skill-position players. But his scheme simply didn't accentuate QB Justin Herbert's arm talent, as evidenced by his 7.6 and 6.4 intended air yards per pass attempt marks over the last 2 years. That 6.4-yard mark this past season ranked 31st among 33 qualifiers. We'll see who the Chargers tab to replace Lombardi -- but the change is more likely than not to be good news for Herbert's fantasy value.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler capped off his age 27-season with 13 carries for 35 yards and 2 scores. Credit the Jags for filling up rushing lanes — and limiting Ekeler to only 2 catches for 8 yards (4 targets). A TD machine with 40 scores over the past 2 seasons, Ekeler is now scheduled to enter the final year of his second contract. Change could be coming to the Chargers’ coaching staff, but there's no reason to alter RB1 expectations for 2023.
If the Bengals beat the Ravens -- and they're currently 7-point favorites -- in the early slate of games on Sunday, the Chargers will clinch the AFC's #5 seed and have nothing to play for vs. the Broncos in the late slate. And it sure sounds like there's a chance that HC Brandon Staley will rest starters in that case. "Once we find out about that game, then we'll make the appropriate decisions moving forward," Staley said Wednesday. The Chargers are notably 2.5-point underdogs right now, suggesting the oddsmakers are at least baking in some chance of starters not playing. We'll continue to keep an eye on the situation, but guys like QB Justin Herbert, RB Austin Ekeler and WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams carry elevated risk in Week 18 fantasy lineups.
Chargers HC Brandon Staley plans to play starters in Sunday's game vs. the Broncos. A win would lock up the AFC's #5 seed for the Chargers, meaning a Round 1 game vs. the Jaguars or Titans. A loss would open the door for the Ravens to take the #5 seed with a win over the Bengals. That'd push the Chargers down to #6 and mean a Round 1 game vs. Cincinnati. “Our approach is definitely going to get shot to win this ballgame and play as well as we can play heading into the playoffs,” Staley said. “I think that there’s certainly an advantage to be in the No. 5-seed, from where I stand, so we’re going to try and get there.” Staley did add that he'd consider sitting banged-up players. But, as of now, we're projecting full playing time for QB Justin Herbert, RB Austin Ekeler and WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler ran for 122 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday's win over the Rams. Ekeler carried just 10 times for the game, adding 4 catches for 39 yards. The team also mixed in RB Joshua Kelley for 9 carries and RB Larry Rountree for 10. Rountree's use came in the 2nd half, perhaps motivated by a knee issue that limited Ekeler to start the practice week. The Chargers finish the regular season at Denver. Ekeler went for limited yardage -- 83 total on 14 carries and 16 targets -- in the 1st meeting. That came back in Week 6, though, against a much different Broncos defense.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (knee) fully participated in practice on Friday and doesn't carry an injury tag for Week 17 vs. the Rams. The Chargers have already clinched a playoff berth and don't have a ton to play for this week. As such, we can't really say how much involvement Ekeler or the other key starters will have vs. the Rams. But unless we have reason to believe his work will be limited, fantasy managers can trust Ekeler as a bonafide RB1 as they have all season. Keep your ear to the ground for any whispers to suggest he'll be lightly utilized just in case.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (knee) logged limited participation again on Thursday. A full practice on Friday would inspire hope for the veteran's ability to play in Week 17 vs. the Rams. We'll check back in on this tomorrow in case something changes.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (knee) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday. Check back tomorrow for updates regarding his status ahead of Week 17 vs. the Rams.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler scored both of his team's TDs in Monday night's win over the Colts. He logged his 2nd most carries of the season (18) for 67 yards (3.7 per rush), adding 4 catches for 12 yards among 4 targets. RB Joshua Kelley chimed in 9 carries for 33 yards and a 9-yard reception. Ekeler has now drawn double-digit carries in 4 straight games, the 1st stretch this year that has seen him do so. A Week 17 meeting with the Rams holds a defense that has played the run tougher than the pass, but that has been true of the past 3 opponents as well. Ekeler, of course, shouldn't be a candidate to sit out of your Week 17 fantasy football lineups.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler managed just 70 total yards in Sunday's win over the Titans, his 3rd-lowest number of the season. Ekeler ran with solid efficiency -- 4.8 yards per rush (12 carries, 58 yards) -- especially considering that he was facing the league's #1 run defense Football Outsiders' DVOA. Ekeler added just 12 yards on 2 catches, though, uncharacteristically low for him. He did leave the game briefly for an injury check but wound up playing 69% of the snaps (according to Pro Football Focus), right in line with his usual playing time. Ekeler and RB Joshua Kelley each scored rushing TDs, as Kelley ran 10 times for 24 yards. Week 16 holds a Monday night trip to Indy, which allowed Vikings RB Dalvin Cook 190 total yards on Saturday night.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler has averaged 7.2 catches per game for the season, 6th highest in the league. That rate has climbed to 7.8 per contest over the past 8 games. That aspect is what keeps him high in our Week 15 fantasy football rankings, in spite of facing a Tennessee defense that ranks #1 in Football Outsiders' run-defense DVOA.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler managed only 35 yards on 10 carries in Sunday's matchup with a soft Raiders defense. It marked his 3rd outing among the past 4 games and 5th among the past 7 with less than 40 rushing yards. As usual, Ekeler made up for it with 67 yards on 5 receptions (among 6 targets). He did not find the end zone in a game that included just 1 offensive TD for his team. RB Joshua Kelley added 30 yards on 7 carries as the only other RB contributor.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler racked up 15 targets and 11 catches in Sunday's late win over the Cardinals, snagging a 1-yard TD with 15 seconds left that set up the game-winning 2-point conversion. Ekeler needed that receiving production to make up for a mere 5-20 rushing line. Joshua Kelley and Isaiah Spiller carried 2 times apiece and combined for 4 targets. It was Kelley's 1st game since a Week 6 knee injury landed him on IR. Kelley played 6 more snaps than Spiller but also less than one-third of Ekeler's total. Next comes a generous Raiders D.
Chargers RB Sony Michel is a healthy scratch for today's game vs. the Cardinals. That leaves Isaiah Spiller and Joshua Kelley behind lead back Austin Ekeler.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler caught just 2 passes for 17 yards in Sunday night's loss to the Chiefs, setting season lows in each category. But he carried a season-high 19 times for 83 yards (4.4 per rush) and a TD. It was Ekeler's 6th game among the past 7 with at least 1 rushing score. Isaiah Spiller followed him in the backfield, drawing 4 carries (11 yards) and 2 targets (2 catches, 11 yards) in roughly one-third of Ekeler's playing time. Sony Michel totaled just 5 snaps and converted a 3rd-and-1 with his only carry. The Chargers find positive rushing matchups each of the next 2 weeks -- but challenges beyond that -- according to our adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler tallied 18 opportunities in Sunday night's loss to the 49ers. He gained 24 yards on 6 carries and caught 7 of 12 targets for 39 more yards. It was his 2nd lowest yardage total of the year, trailing only the Week 3 loss to Jacksonville. The NBC crew said after the game that the team hopes to get Keenan Allen and/or Mike Williams back ahead of a Week 11 home date with the Chiefs. That would certainly be good for the offense on whole.
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