Chargers' Ekeler to miss 2nd straight game with ankle injury

The Los Angeles Chargers will be without their top running back as they look for their first win this season.

Running back Austin Ekeler has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings with an ankle injury, the team announced Friday.

Ekeler, who also missed L.A.'s Week 2 loss to the Tennessee Titans, didn't practice at all this week. The 28-year-old has been a major part of the Chargers' offense and racked up 164 scrimmage yards and one touchdown on 20 touches in Week 1. The veteran tailback led the NFL in total TDs in 2021 and 2022, scoring 38 times in that span.

"He's working hard to get back," Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Friday, according to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "We'll see how it goes here in the next few weeks." Staley also said on Monday that there was no timetable for Ekeler's return, per ESPN's Kris Rhim.

With Ekeler out, Joshua Kelley will presumably carry the load at running back for Los Angeles. Kelley was limited to 13 carries for 39 yards in last week's 27-24 overtime loss against the Titans. Undrafted rookie Elijah Dotson ranked second on the team with four rushing attempts versus Tennessee.

The Chargers also ruled out linebacker Eric Kendricks on Friday and listed defensive end Joey Bosa as questionable, both due to hamstring injuries. Bosa was listed as questionable last week but did play against the Titans, finishing the game with two sacks and two tackles for loss. The four-time Pro Bowler was a limited participant at Friday's practice after missing Thursday's session.

full #LACvsMIN game status pic.twitter.com/hVpWs8jtrK

- Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 22, 2023

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