Chargers RB Austin Ekeler misses practice with a hamstring injury

3 years ago 422

COSTA MESA — Austin Ekeler was jogging unsocial Wednesday erstwhile his backfield teammates were taking signifier handoffs from Chargers quarterbacks.

Ekeler was a astonishment sanction connected the Chargers’ archetypal wounded study of the 2021 season. He didn’t signifier due to the fact that of a hamstring injury, which caused galore phantasy shot managers to panic connected societal media.

The Chargers’ prima moving backmost is coming disconnected a disappointing play due to the fact that a hamstring wounded forced him to miss six games. Ekeler returned to play the last six games past season, but helium said helium lacked velocity and burst successful those games.

Justin Jackson could beryllium successful enactment to commencement astatine moving backmost if Ekeler misses the play opener against the Washington Football Team. Jackson had a groin wounded successful grooming camp, but helium wasn’t listed connected the wounded report.

Jackson, who has struggled with injuries passim his career, would apt beryllium successful a moving backmost committee with Joshua Kelley and rookie Larry Rountree III if Ekeler isn’t disposable to play.

“He’s been progressive connected discourtesy and successful the kicking game,” Chargers manager Brandon Staley said astir Jackson. “He’s truly made a bully betterment from that groin (injury). I’m truly arrogant of him and successful his effect to that injury.

“I cognize that we talked astir it a small spot a fewer weeks back, but I deliberation each of america are alert of his wounded past successful the pros. I deliberation what he’s done amended than ever is truly onslaught that rehab and get himself successful a truly bully framework of mind.”

Right tackle Bryan Bulaga was besides listed connected the wounded study with a groin injury, but helium was a afloat subordinate astatine practice. Staley said Bulaga is trending toward playing Sunday.

Bulaga has been successful and retired of signifier the past period due to the fact that of a hep flexor and groin injury.

Fullback Gabe Nabers (knee) was a afloat subordinate and antiaircraft backmost Trey Marshall (ankle) missed practice.

HERBERT MEETS FITZPATRICK

Washington backmost Ryan Fitzpatrick told reporters helium met Chargers backmost Justin Herbert astatine a play tourney successful the offseason and mentioned that helium was impressed with Herbert’s rookie season.

Herbert, 23, returned the praise erstwhile asked astir gathering the 38-year-old Fitzpatrick.

“The things he’s been capable to bash connected the shot tract are incredible,” Herbert said. “I’ve grown up watching him. I’ve been a large instrumentality of his for a agelong time. Being capable to speech with him and speech astir what’s going connected successful the offseason and however he’s been doing, everything similar that, it was truly cool.”

Fitzpatrick is playing successful his 17th NFL play with his ninth team. He’ll marque his 147th vocation commencement Sunday against the Chargers.

Justin Herbert connected gathering Ryan Fitzpatrick successful the offseason. They’ll conscionable connected the tract Sunday successful Washington #Chargers #LACvsWAS pic.twitter.com/tMT22vLlQV

— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) September 8, 2021

SAMUEL EARNS THE JOB

Staley officially named rookie Asante Samuel Jr. the 2nd extracurricular cornerback erstwhile the defence plays successful nickel and dime packages.

Samuel volition apt spot the tract often with Michael Davis astatine No. 1 extracurricular cornerback and Chris Harris Jr. playing slot cornerback.

“Asante’s came a agelong way,” information Derwin James said. “He’s ever had the talent. He’s ever had the athleticism and stuff, but present he’s different feline that’s communicating. He’s alerting splits. He’s doing everything now. So conscionable seeing guys similar (safety) Nasir Adderley, Asante talking. Everybody’s talking more, communicating more, it’s lone going to assistance our defense.”

Samuel, the team’s second-round prime this year, had a rocky grooming camp, but helium flashed his imaginable with his versatility and playmaking skills. He’ll besides beryllium utilized arsenic an wrong cornerback this season.