Chargers RB Austin Ekeler helped off the field with hamstring injury

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler was helped off of the field with an injury.

The Los Angeles Chargers might be 1-2 on the young season, but their young offense has been worth watching, as 2020 No. 6 overall pick Justin Herbert and shifty running back Austin Ekeler have sliced through the competition in the first three weeks. All of their positive momentum might dribble away soon, however, as Ekeler’s hamstring might sideline him for the ear future.

Ekeler needed to be helped off the field in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a painful hamstring injury. Against a Bucs team that has plenty of offensive weaponry, this could be a major challenge for Herbert and the banged-up Chargers, as he has been ruled questionable to return.

Austin Ekeler has been invaluable for Justin Herbert this season

Anthony Lynn, who made his name as a running backs coach, clearly has a soft spot for Ekeler. After totaling 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns in 2019, Ekeler had touched the ball 63 times in the first three 2020 games, piling up 378 yards and a touchdown. If he continued performing at that rate, Ekeler would top 2,000 yards from scrimmage.

The two best things a young quarterback can have in his third career start are a good running game and a safety valve underneath. Ekeler provided Herbert with both of those things, and now Herbert will have to win the game with his arm.

While Joshua Kelley, a rookie out of UCLA who will assume a greater role on offense without Ekeler, has proven to be a solid running back at this point in his career, but he is nowhere near Ekeler when you take into account his ability to make plays as a pass-catcher. For Herbert’s sake, hopefully Ekeler can return in this game,.