With the Chargers (5–7) continuing to struggle entering Week 14, star running back Austin Ekeler’s starting role may soon be jeopardy.
The idea was hinted at this week by coach Brandon Staley, who strongly suggested to reporters that Ekeler may lose touches to backups Joshua Kelley and Isaiah Spiller before season’s end. Staley then added to his curiously timed comments by describing Ekeler, the club’s top tailback since 2019, as a “good running back” that has stalled over the last couple games.
“Competition for carries is going to be something that you can see happening,” Staley said Wednesday. “We’re going to keep exploring, making adjustments, so that we can find that rhythm that I’ve been talking about. That’s certainly one way to do it. … We know that Austin is a good running back. We just haven’t found any rhythm in the last couple of weeks in the run game.”
Staley’s comments add an interesting wrinkle to an up-and-down 2023 campaign for Ekeler following an eventful offseason that saw the 28-year-old receive permission to seek a trade.
Ekeler enjoyed a stellar Week 1 with 164 total yards against the Dolphins. But the seven-year veteran missed Weeks 2 through 4 with an ankle injury and has eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage only twice since returning in Week 6.
Now likely facing added pressure to produce, Ekeler will enter Sunday’s home game against the Broncos with something to prove following his season-low 18 rushing yards in the Chargers’ 6–0 Week 13 win over the Patriots.
In nine starts this season, Ekeler has mustered up 446 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 126 carries to go with 31 catches for 295 yards and another score.
