Isaiah

Spiller

Kelley is so stapled to Spiller that he couldn’t even let him work out without joining in. It’s possible that this is just checking in with the best available list, or it’s possible that this is the precursor to an IR designation for someone lower on the Tennessee depth chart. Nobody signed here would be a real threat to playing time without injuries in front of them. Spiller was released by the Chargers at last cuts this year after Kimani Vidal climbed over him for the RB3 role.

The writing was on the wall after Spiller saw extensive action in the Chargers’ final preseason game while rookie RB Kimani Vidal was inactive. With Spiller gone, Vidal should take on the RB3 role behind some combination of Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. A highly productive college back, Vidal had 49 yards on 11 rushes during the preseason. He’s a long way from playing time in LA.

This was not a “hot hand” situation. This was clean up on aisle 63-21 blowout loss. The Chargers were down 49-0 four minutes into the second half, resulting in no shortage of clock-killing work. It does seem that Spiller has surpassed Josh Kelley for No. 2 duties. As poorly as Austin Ekeler has been playing, Spiller has no path to RB3/4 value in Week 16 against the Bills.

Kelley’s three carries for half of what Isaiah Spiller (6-19-0) received. Neither back did enough to suggest they should earn more touches in Week 15 against the Raiders, as both can be left off the fantasy radar next week.

Isaiah Spiller will be active this week and the Chargers are expected to give him, Ekeler, and Joshua Kelley work. Though it’s shocking to see these names taking work away from Ekeler, the superstar running back has been anything but that this year. He is averaging 3.5 yards per carry while also failing to make the outsized impact as a pass-catcher we are used to seeing. Ekeler will remain ahead of the other Chargers backs in the fantasy rankings, but he is well outside of the RB1 cohort on the back of this news. Kelley is a dart-throw RB4 for desperate teams.

Spiller has been utilized sparingly on offense this season, instead contributing to special teams at a greater frequency. It’ll remain Austin Ekeler’s backfield, spelled on occasion by Joshua Kelley, against the Packers.

RBs Spiller and Dotson are inactive, indicating the Chargers are confident in Austin Ekeler continuing to be healthy with Joshua Kelley behind him. Overall, the Chargers have a clean bill of health entering a Week 10 showdown against the Lions.

It’s interesting that both Isaiah Spiller and Elijah Dotson are inactive for the Bolts, which likely means the team is comfortable with the health of lead back Austin Ekeler. Expect a classic 65/35 split between Ekeler and Joshua Kelley in a difficult matchup against the Jets on Monday Night Football.

With Spiller a healthy scratch, it looks like Joshua Kelley will take on the Chargers’ RB2 role behind Austin Ekeler. Kelley should be rostered as a bench stash in 12-team leagues in case Ekeler misses time in 2023.

Spiller played behind Joshua Kelley, who ran for a 75-yard touchdown. Kelley led the Chargers in rushing in three preseason starts with 141 yards on 15 carries (9.4 YPC), making it likely Spiller opens the year as the RB3. The 2022 fourth-rounder averaged 4.5 YPC on 15 carries this preseason.