Running back Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers, linebacker Eric Kendricks, and outside linebacker Joey Bosa are all questionable for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
In the team’s opening-weekend defeat to the Miami Dolphins, 36-34, all three players sustained injuries. Bosa and Kendricks each sustained hamstring ailments, and Ekeler suffered an ankle injury.
Ekeler had 47 yards receiving in addition to 117 yards rushing and a touchdown on 16 carries, but he sat out the Chargers’ final drive. Ekeler’s ailment, according to coach Brandon Staley, is not a high ankle sprain.
Does Joshua Kelley hold the key to unlock Titans ?
If Ekeler is unable to play, Joshua Kelley, who had 91 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, will take the field first.
Kelley will be supported by rookie undrafted free agent Elijah Dotson and second-year running back Isaiah Spiller, who was inactive on Sunday. On Wednesday, the Chargers added Jaret Patterson to their practice squad after he ran for the Washington Commanders the previous two seasons for 344 yards and two touchdowns.
The Chargers’ run defense, which gave up 70 yards on 20 carries against the Dolphins, will be put to the test as a result of Kendricks’ absence. Kelley said on Friday ,
“So, my mentality is I’m going to dominate and take every possession, every rep to the best of my ability,”
“I feel like our [running backs] coach [Derrick Foster] said it,” “He’s like, ‘Hey, we guys need you to roll,’ and we got to answer the call.”
Linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. will direct defensive plays in Kendricks’ absence.
The Chargers are lacking inside linebackers because to Kendricks’ injury. Daiyan Henley, a rookie third-round pick, is classified as questionable due to a hamstring injury and is anticipated to miss his second straight game, therefore Nick Niemann and Amen Ogbongbemiga are anticipated to replace Kendricks next to Murray.