Larry

Rountree

Sims was signed this offseason and given a chance to earn return duties. An undrafted free agent who broke into the league with Washington in 2019, Sims caught 14 passes for 104 yards with the Steelers in 2022. In addition to Sims, the Texans also waived/released OL Rashaad Coward, CB Jacobi Francis, OT Austin Deculus, OG Keaton Sutherland, LB Garret Wallow, and RB Larry Rountree.

The Texans waived guard Keaton Sutherland in a corresponding move. Rountree was waived by the Chargers earlier this week after signing a reserve/future contract with the team following the 2022 season. He will be fighting for a depth spot on a middling Houston roster.

After 36 carries in 2021, Rountree was off the active roster for most of the 2022 season and looks to be well behind Joshua Kelley and Isaiah Spiller in the backup RB derby in Los Angeles. The Chargers also signed up T Zack Bailey, WR Keelan Doss, WR John Hightower, CB Michael Jacquet, TE Hunter Kampmoyer, OLB Carlo Kemp, LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams, DL David Moa, OL Austen Pleasants, OLB Ty Shelby and DB Mark Webb under the reserve/future label.

Rountree made it past final cuts but was waived the next day to open up a spot for Sony Michel. The Missouri alum struggled as a rookie, turning his 36 carries into 87 yards and a score. He could resurface on the team’s active roster if injuries take down some players ahead of him.

Rountree, a sixth-round pick out of Mizzou last year, loses his roster spot to Sony Michel, who was signed earlier Wednesday. As a rookie, Rountree didn’t at all impress with a pitiful 36-87-1 rushing line, averaging 2.4 YPC, with one catch for -1 yards.

Kelley started the Chargers’ preseason game against the Rams and totaled 44 yards on six touches. Popper reports that in Tuesday’s practice, Kelley continued to lead Larry Rountree and Isaiah Spiller—the other two backs competing with him—in first-team reps. “Kelley was the first running back to catch a pass in seven-on-seven. He was the first running back on the field in the opening 11-on-11 period. He got the second carry, behind Ekeler, in the second 11-on-11 period, taking a pitch up the middle on a second down. And Kelley carried out of shotgun on the opening rep of the red zone 11-on-11 period.” After the Chargers drafted Isaiah Spiller in the fourth round, he was widely assumed to be the favorite to win the backup job, settling into an early double-digit round ADP. However, to begin the season at least, it appears that Kelley will be in that role. Spiller drafters should be prepared to play the long game.

Popper reports that the first team reps are going to Austin Ekeler, Larry Rountree, and Joshua Kelley. However, with pads now on, Spiller’s “physicality is starting to pop.” That physicality is a big reason why the Chargers drafted Spiller in the fourth round. Rountree and Kelley have disappointed as compliments to Ekeler; it’s likely that Los Angeles wants Spiller to step into that change of pace role. For the time being at least, they’re making the rookie earn it.

Rountree is currently buried on the Chargers depth chart. He briefly appeared to be in play for RB2 duties after an 11-carry game in Week 4. That fizzled quickly as he now sits in the RB4 chair. The rookie’s regular season ends with 36 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown.

Limited to just five carries over the past month heading into this afternoon, Rountree vaulted over the pile like Walter Payton on his one-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Of course, other than imitating Sweetness on his score, Rountree continued to display no juice whatsoever. The Bolts are making it up as they go along behind Austin Ekeler. Rountree should remain left on waiver wires in 12-team leagues.

Brandon Staley told reporters that Ekeler felt sore after Wendnesday’s practice, which led to consecutive DNPs for the start running back. The Chargers remain hopeful that he will play Sunday. While mid-week injuries are never a good sign, it sounds like Ekeler’s status for Sunday is at least truly questionable, rather than borderline doubtful. Ekeler will be a low-end RB1 if he’s able to go. If not, Justin Jackson would likely see the biggest increase in role, as the only Chargers backup with a similar skillset to Ekeler’s.