In the second half of the Chargers’ blowout victory over the Giants, Austin Ekeler sustained an ankle injury. He was seen on the sidelines getting what might be the heaviest tape job I’ve ever seen and did not return to the game. If Ekeler misses time, fantasy football managers should look to Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley to pick up the slack.
How serious is Austin Ekeler’s injury?
It goes without saying — I am not a doctor. My assessment of player injuries is purely based on what I see on the field and my experience witnessing injuries for nearly two decades.
Ekeler was not putting much weight on his ankle as he left the field. However, the tape job suggests he may have been capable of returning to the game. It’s possible Ekeler was held out simply due to the score; there was no reason for the Chargers to put Ekeler back in the game. I’ve seen preliminary reports of a high ankle sprain, which would end Ekeler’s season for fantasy purposes.
Update:Â Head coach Brandon Staley said Ekeler’s ankle was fine and he could have returned to the game.
If Austin Ekeler can’t play with his injury, who will replace him?
Larry Rountree has fallen out of favor with the Chargers. He was a healthy inactive and is not a candidate to assume any of the vacated touches. We are left with Jackson and Kelley.
At various points last season, Jackson and Kelley were given a chance to be the lead back. Neither really ran away with the job.
Should fantasy managers add Justin Jackson or Joshua Kelley off the Week 14 waiver wire?
With the fantasy playoffs upon us, anyone you are not starting is expendable. You can jettison your floor-based WR4 or RB3 in favor of a running back with legitimate upside. Both Jackson and Kelley have upside in a high-scoring Chargers offense.
In Week 8 of the 2020 season, Jackson operated as the lead back. He carried the ball 17 times for 89 yards and added 3 receptions for 53 yards.
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In Week 9 of the 2020 season, Kelley was supposed to be the lead back, but he ceded that role to Kalen Ballage. Kelley carried the ball 9 times for 28 yards and caught 5 passes for 31 yards.
This week, Jackson and Kelley had nearly identical stat lines. Jackson had 9 carries for 35 yards. Kelley had 10 carries for 33 yards. Jackson had 1 catch for 7 yards; Kelley had 1 catch for 5 yards.
Is there a preferred pickup between Jackson and Kelley?
I wish I could advocate for one over the other, but I cannot. What we saw in Week 14 is likely what we will see if Ekeler cannot play in Week 15.
Jackson and Kelley will split snaps and touches just about evenly. Both will have fantasy value, but they cap each other’s upside. The answer to which one to start will be whoever scores a touchdown. At 212 pounds, Kelley profiles more as the goal-line back, while Jackson is more likely to be used on passing downs.
Fantasy managers should value them equally and, if possible, put in claims for both, especially if you roster Ekeler. Given the potential for Ekeler to miss the remainder of the regular season, fantasy managers need to take a shot on potential starting running backs.
If Ekeler is out Week 15, neither replacement would be a confident start, but both would be viable RB3s with respectable floors. At the very least, fantasy managers who win in Week 15 or those with byes could see how the touch distribution plays out and make an informed decision for Week 16.
