Chargers suffer major blow ahead of Vikings matchup
The 0-2 Minnesota Vikings will welcome in the 0-2 Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday for a battle of winless teams. Whoever loses this game can likely kiss their postseason chances goodbye. Unfortunately for the Chargers, they will have to play without one of their most explosive weapons. Per Adam Schefter, star RB Austin Ekeler will […]
The 0-2 Minnesota Vikings will welcome in the 0-2 Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday for a battle of winless teams. Whoever loses this game can likely kiss their postseason chances goodbye.
Unfortunately for the Chargers, they will have to play without one of their most explosive weapons. Per Adam Schefter, star RB Austin Ekeler will be OUT in Week 3.
Ekeler has been dealing with an ankle injury that also kept him out of the week two game against the Tennessee Titans.
In the season opener against the Miami Dolphins, Ekeler was fantastic. The veteran RB ran for 117 yards on 16 carries with one touchdown. Ekeler also contributed four catches for 47 yards in a Chargers loss.
Without Ekeler, the Chargers will likely turn to Joshua Kelley once again. Kelley struggled to get anything going against the Titans defense, turning in 13 carries for 39 yards.
Losing Ekeler should be encouraging news for Vikings fans. The Vikings have been terrible against the run this season and are currently 29th in opponent rushing yards per game. Hopefully, the Vikings can use this as a get-right game for the rushing defense.
Ekeler being out not only affects the run game but the passing game as well. The RB caught over 100 passes in 2022 and is a go-to check-down option for Herbert.
The Vikings have had their own rushing problems this season. No team has gained fewer yards on the ground to this point than Minnesota has.
Vikings Thursday injury report: Key player still out
The Vikings had some good and bad news on Thursday.
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