Chargers HC suggests team will give Austin Ekeler fewer carries

The Los Angeles Chargers run game keeps stalling, which could result in a shake-up at running back.

On Wednesday, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley implied the team will reduce RB Austin Ekeler's workload and give backup RB Joshua Kelley more carries.

"Competition for carries is going to be something that you can see happening," Staley said. "We're going to keep exploring, making adjustments, so that we can find that rhythm that I've been talking about. That's certainly one way to do it."

Ekeler — averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry — started the season strong, rushing for a season-high 117 yards in a Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins. However, he suffered a high ankle sprain in that game and was sidelined until Week 5. Apparently, the injury hampered him.

Per ESPN's Kris Rhim, he has the fewest rushing yards (329) among RBs with at least 100 carries since Week 5. In a Week 13 win over the New England Patriots, the 28-year-old logged 14 carries for 18 yards, a season low.

"We know that Austin is a good running back," Staley said. "We just haven't found any rhythm in the last couple of weeks in the run game. Just need to keep after it and keep working hard in practice."  

Kelley hasn't fared much better this season. Through 12 games, he's rushed for 376 yards on 94 carries (four yards per carry) and two TDs. Perhaps Staley hopes the increased competition will light a fire under Ekeler.

Ekeler is entering the final year of a four-year, $24.5M contract. In the offseason, he requested permission to seek a trade after L.A. didn't give him an extension. He found no trade partners, though, and agreed to a revised deal with incentives.

The RB could've proved he deserves a massive payday. Instead, he's underperformed, raising doubts about his future with the organization.