Advertisement

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler 'efficiently' moving through ankle rehab: 'I'm doing everything I can to get back'

Austin Ekeler hasn't been on the field very much this season. He played in Week 1, but injured his right ankle during the game and hasn't played since. There have been frustratingly few updates about his ankle and his status for Week 4 is still up in the air, but there's reason to be positive: His rehab is moving in the right direction.

During his weekly "Ekeler's Edge" podcast on the "Yahoo Fantasy Football Show" feed, the Los Angeles Chargers running back shared a quick but encouraging update about his health, revealing as much as he could without being too specific.

"Us as players, we do the most to make sure that, OK, hey, I'm doing everything to get back. So just know that, that is going on behind the scenes. I'm doing everything I can to get back, and be healthy, and not have any major setbacks. So there's a cadence to this thing and I can't go too fast, too slow, but just know I'm efficiently moving towards getting my a** back on the field."

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 26: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers is seen during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 26, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler said on his podcast that he's working as hard as he can to get back on the field after a Week 1 high ankle sprain. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Ekeler said on last week's podcast that his injury, an ankle sprain, wasn't an "out for several months type of thing," but would be managed day to day and week to week. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Monday that Ekeler is "hopeful" he'll be able to take the field in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders, but with the Chargers' bye coming in Week 5, it's possible they keep him out against Vegas so he can have that extra week to heal up and rehab.

Austin Ekeler headshot
Austin Ekeler
RB - WAS - #30
Prior to right ankle sprain
117
Yds
1
TD
7.3
YPC
55
Long

Ekeler was expected to be a massive fantasy player this season, especially after his monster 2022 campaign: a career-high 915 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, plus 722 yards and five touchdowns in the air. He looked great after Week 1 with 117 rushing yards and a touchdown, plus 47 receiving yards on four catches.