Sony

Michel

Michel joined the Rams on a one-year contract on June 30th but has now decided to hang things up. Selected by the Patriots with the No. 31 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, Michel’s production never quite matched his high draft capital. The former Georgia Bulldog rushed 3,243 yards and 18 touchdowns for his career, with his most productive season (209-931-6) coming in his rookie season. Still, Michel walks away as a two-time Super Bowl champion and was a key member of the Patriots’ 2018 championship team. That post-season, Michel rushed for 336 yards and six touchdowns on 71 carries and scored the Patriots’ lone touchdown in a 13-3 win over the Rams.

Michel will likely be trying for a roster spot as a Cam Akers backup. It doesn’t say much positive about Kyren Williams and Zach Evans that they didn’t show enough in offseason practices to keep this from happening. Michel will be the most experienced backup on the roster if he makes it and would likely be the No. 2 back on early-down plays.

With Josh Kelley (knee) activated from injured reserve, Michel is sent to the bench. It remains the case that no one in the revolving door behind Austin Ekeler offers 12-team league appeal. Joining Michel on the sidelines are WR Mike Williams, S Nasir Adderley, QB Easton Stick, OT Storm Norton and WR Jason Moore.

It was two more snaps than Sony Michel, and Spiller out-carried him seven to one. This does not matter outside of the deepest leagues in the short term, but if something were to happen to Austin Ekeler, it seems Spiller would be the back to target on the waiver wire.

Per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Spiller was on the field for the team’s red zone walkthrough, which is “usually a good indication of who is/isn’t in the plan”, on Friday. With Josh Kelley likely out because of a knee issue and Sony Michel lumbering about at 2.8 yards per carry, the Chargers need a spark behind Austin Ekeler. Spiller, a fouth-round rookie, may give them that.

He added three catches for 14 yards on three targets as Austin Ekeler’s change of pace. Joshua Kelley exited early in the first half with a knee injury and never returned, allowing Michel to handle all of the work behind Ekeler. If Kelley is dealing with a significant issue, Michel will be worth of a bench stash in deeper formats.

Michel played 24% of snaps against the Texans in Week 4 but was down to just 3% against the Browns. Joshua Kelley picked up the slack, jumping up from a 20% snap share to 38%. No injury was reported for Michel and it looks like he was phased out in favor of Kelley, who now appears to be in a true backup role. Michel can safely be dropped in all leagues.

Joshua Kelley got a little run early in the game and wound up with four carries for 15 yards, but Michel still seems like the primary backup for Los Angeles at running back. Michel won’t merit real fantasy consideration unless Austin Ekeler gets hurt or is otherwise indisposed.

Michel led the Chargers in carries and yards, but his most notable play was a dropped pass in the second quarter. The ball clanged off his and landed right in the lap of a defender. This was on the first play of a drive starting at the Chargers’ nine-yard line. Michel wasn’t benched for the mistake and remains the grinder of LA’s backfield. He doesn’t hold standalone value but would see his role increase if Austin Ekeler were to get hurt.

One of Michel’s carries was a failed plunge from the Chiefs’ one-yard line to end the first quarter. That was closer than Austin Ekeler ever got to the end zone this evening. The Chargers clearly want to take some short-yardage pressure off Ekeler, though neither Michel nor Josh Kelley have done anything positive through two games. Michel and Kelley combined for 44 scoreless yards on 10 combined touches in Kansas City. You don’t need us to tell you Michel currently lacks RB4/FLEX appeal and isn’t worth a roster spot in normal 12-team leagues.