Chargers Star RB Austin Ekeler Sidelined Again for Practice with Ankle Injury

We are mid-way through the week, and Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is still not practicing due to his ankle injury.

Austin Ekeler (ankle) is not practicing today but he is on the field watching. Having a chat with RBs coach Derrick Foster during individual drills.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) September 20, 2023

Ekeler was seen at practice without pads and walking around the field talking to coaches as he recovers from his ankle injury.

UPDATE: Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) not even stretching with the team and wearing a bucket hat instead of a helmet at practice today. @SportsCentralLA #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/ktXWoSIL2b
— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) September 20, 2023

Ekeler suffered the ankle injury in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter of the home opening loss.

Ekeler missed the Week 2 game against the Tennesse Titans, and things are not looking good for the veteran's spot in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings.

🚨Austin Ekeler injury -

It’s hard to tell for certain, but multiple angles suggest Right High Ankle sprain

If true:
•Avg RB missed time: ~3 weeks
•Some RBs have missed 1-2 wks if mild severity, heavily taped/braced
• ~20% production dip on average upon RTP

Video 🧵 pic.twitter.com/RWHeSjRHYP
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 12, 2023

In Week 1, the Chargers rushing attack looked dominant, tallying 233 yards on the ground with a 5.8 yards per carry.

The ground game was split between Ekeler and Joshua Kelley, each tallying 16 carries.

Ekeler had 117 yards on the ground, breaking out his longest run for 55 yards, while Kelly tallied 91 yards with his aggressive style of running.

In Week 2, with Ekeler missing, the Chargers managed only 61 yards on the ground in 21 attempts, totaling a poor 2.9 yards per carry on the game.

The Chargers were facing a much better front seven in the Tennessee Titans, but the steep decline was noticeable.

The more noticeable decline was the passing usage out of the backfield, where Ekeler's dual-threat presence was very much missed.

Ekeler has come out and said that his ankle injury is more of a week-to-week injury but he hopes to be back on the field sooner than later.