The Chargers will be without their star defender in Joey Bosa, but now there’s a chance the team could be without one of their top offensive players when they take on the Texans this Sunday.
Austin Ekeler was the latest to be added to the COVID-19 list, marking the 11th player up to this point. While considered day-to-day, Ekeler isn’t optimistic about his availability this weekend.
“Don’t recommend,” Ekeler told Yahoo Sport’s Liz Loza. “Zero out of 10 fun. Just dealing with this day-to-day. We have new protocols in place. I had to get tested every day and have two negative tests and no symptoms.
And so right now, I can tell you it’s not looking good [for Sunday’s game], just because the history of COVID and how long it usually takes to dissipate or at least for your body to beat it. So, I’m just going to be chilling.”
Ekeler will have to return two negative tests 24 hours apart to be activated off the COVID-19 list and be able to play this Sunday.
If Ekeler can’t go, Los Angeles will likely take a committee approach, with Justin Jackson getting the bulk of the snaps out of the backfield. Jackson had a season-high 86 rushing yards last Thursday against the Chiefs.
This season, Ekeler has 1,347 total yards (789 rushing, 558 receiving) on 235 touches this year, with 17 total touchdowns (10 rushing, seven receiving). He was named a 2022 Pro Bowl alternate.