Tag: Austin Ekeler COVID-19 list

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler will not play vs. Texans

The Chargers will be without Austin Ekeler this Sunday.

The Chargers will be without another key player when they take on the Texans on Sunday.

Running back Austin Ekeler went to his Instagram to announce that he tested positive for COVID-19, ruling him out for Week 16.

Earlier this week, Ekeler was placed on the COVID-19 list, and there was still a possibility of him playing if he had two negative tests 24 hours apart.

With Ekeler out, Los Angeles will likely take a committee approach with the backfield, with Justin Jackson getting the bulk of the workload.

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.

The Bolts have already ruled out Joey Bosa and Kemon Hall.

Here’s a look at the other players that are still on the COVID-19 list:

DL Justin Jones
WR Jalen Guyton
DE Joe Gaziano
QB Chase Daniel
CB Tevaughn Campbell
C Corey Linsley
DB Trey Marshall
WR Andre Roberts
OLB Chris Rumph II

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler on status for Week 16 vs. Texans: ‘Not looking good’

Austin Ekeler’s availability for this weekend against the Texans is currently up in the air.

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.