3 years agoAlong with the entire Chargers offense in Week 6, running back Austin Ekeler will look to return to form against the New England Patriots in Week 8. The Chargers had full week to rest and recover with their bye in Week 7 and the veteran will seek to put up big numbers for managers in Week 8. Ekeler has been one of the best at the running back position this year and has rushed for 356 yards for four touchdowns. He has also caught 27 balls for 242 yards and three touchdowns. The Patriots rushing defense has been nothing to fear this year and they are allowing 92 yards on the ground per game and more importantly for Ekeler managers, 6.5 receptions per game for 60 yards. Despite the positive matchup on paper for Ekeler, the Patriots have only allowed one rushing touchdown on the season to a running back and one receiving touchdown. The Chargers possess one of the more dangerous offenses in the league and should be motivated to put up big numbers after their poor performance in Week 6 that saw the offense get manhandled by the Baltimore Ravens and Ekeler should be a big part of that game plan. Managers should note that Ekeler was a late addition to the injury report on Thursday with a hip injury and recorded a DNP for practice. Managers should continue to keep an eye on his status for Friday and if he were to miss Week 8, rookie Larry Rountree III and Justin Jackson would likely enter into a 50/50 split with Rountree seeing more of the ground work and Jackson seeing more of the action in the passing game. As long as Ekeler is good to go, he should be treated as a RB1 in all formats.--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBaller
Source: CBS Sports