Kimani Vidal, Isaiah Spiller Battle It Out For The Chargers' No. 3 RB Spot
Los Angeles Chargers running backs Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller are locked into a positional battle for the No. 3 running back spot behind Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins (Achilles). With Dobbins recovering from injury and Edwards no stranger to injury himself, this team's No. 3 running back is an important position. Spiller is the incumbent but also a product of the previous regime. Spiller has only rushed for a total of 137 yards on 2.5 YPC in two seasons in the NFL. Vidal was a sixth-round pick out of Troy in April's draft. With a solid size-to-speed ratio, Vidal is an exciting young prospect. If Dobbins and Edwards get and stay healthy through training camp, then it is more likely that this positional battle will come down to blocking acumen and special team play. Given that Vidal is the pick of the Harbaugh regime and Spiller has been so abysmal to start his career, Vidal may be able to separate himself. If he wins the job and Dobbins or Edwards gets injured, Vidal could be a sneaky fantasy add in a Chargers offense that projects to be run-heavy.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Isaiah Spiller could have a big role again in a Week 16 game against the Buffalo Bills. Spiller led the Chargers backfield in Week 15, picking up 50 yards on 16 carries. It was hard to tell what the real plan was as the Chargers had no chance as early as the first quarter, but Spiller did end up getting fed the ball. With the Chargers having nothing to play for and just trying to close out the season, they may stick with Spiller to see what they have for next season, especially since Austin Ekeler will be a free agent.
Isaiah Spiller Leads The Chargers Backfield In Week 15
Los Angeles Chargers running back Isaiah Spiller led the Chargers backfield in a Week 15 annihilation by the Las Vegas Raiders. Spiller ran the ball 16 times for 50 yards, leading the team in both carries and yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. In a game that the Chargers were essentially losing from kickoff, Spiller's 16 carries were more than the 10 that Joshua Kelley and Austin Ekeler combined for. With nothing left to play for and possibly the worst offense in the NFL, the Chargers could see what Spiller can do in the final three games. He won't be much of a fantasy option, though.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Isaiah Spiller (illness) has been ruled out for Week 11 against the Green Bay Packers. Spiller being ruled out means the Chargers will roll with Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley in their backfield against Green Bay. The rookie running back has just 47 total yards on 15 touches this season. Los Angeles did activate wide receivers Terrell Bynum and Alex Erickson from their practice squad, however, as both Keenan Allen (shoulder) and Jalen Guyton (groin) are questionable. Allen should be good to go but Guyton's status is a little more unclear. We should find out more an hour before kickoff on Sunday.
Jalen Guyton, Isaiah Spiller Questionable For Week 11
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Jalen Guyton (groin) and running back Isaiah Spiller (illness) were added to the injury report on Friday and are questionable to play against the Green Bay Packers in Week 11. Guyton was a limited participant, putting his status for Sunday's game up in the air. He seemed to operate as the Chargers' No. 2 receiver last week, catching four passes for 41 yards and a touchdown while playing 79 percent of snaps. If active this week, he should remain quite involved, ranking as a high-end WR4 in most fantasy leagues. Meanwhile, Spiller was unable to practice. Even if he gets healthy in time for kickoff Sunday, his role as the No. 3 running back behind Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley renders him a non-factor for fantasy purposes.
Isaiah Spiller Runs Well In Limited Chances On Sunday
Los Angeles Chargers running back Isaiah Spiller ran well despite limited chances in Sunday's preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. Spiller ran the ball five times, picking up 27 yards on the ground including a long of 18 yards. He ended up second on the team in running back carries behind Elijah Dotson, but outgained him by six yards regardless. Spiller, Dotson, and Joshua Kelley are competing for a role in the Chargers backfield behind starter Austin Ekeler.
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Isaiah Spiller is a healthy scratch on Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. Spiller will have to wait to make his NFL debut in a regular season game. To open the year, the Bolts have decided to go with Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel as the backups to starter Austin Ekeler. In the Week 1 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Kelley played 26.9 percent of the offensive snaps, while Michel saw 23.9 percent behind Ekeler's 49.3 percentage. Spiller has plenty of long-term potential, but it might take an injury for him to become fantasy relevant outside of deeper and dynasty/keeper formats. Neither Kelley nor Michel have standalone fantasy appeal on Thursday night.
Donald Parham Jr., Isaiah Spiller Officially Inactive For Week 1
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Donald Parham Jr. (hamstring) and running back Isaiah Spiller (coach's decision) are both inactive for Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Parham's absence means that Tre' McKitty will be the lone backup behind Gerald Everett. Meanwhile, in the backfield, Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel will fill depth roles behind Austin Ekeler.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Isaiah Spiller (ankle) practiced in full on Wednesday. He had been dealing with an ankle injury but appeared fully recovered from the issue after practicing in full. The 21-year-old is third on the RB depth chart behind Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, and Sony Michel. He will be available for Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chargers drafted Spiller in the fourth round, searching for running back depth behind Ekeler. With Ekeler being the undisputed starter in Los Angeles, Spiller has no fantasy value in Week 1 and is mainly a dynasty/roster stash heading into 2022.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Isaiah Spiller (ankle) returned to practice on Tuesday. The 21-year-old exited their final preseason game and was sidelined from team activities. The fourth-round pick struggled to win the backup job while competing against Joshua Kelley during training camp, prompting the Chargers to name Kelley the No. 2 option. Spiller was a highly touted prospect entering the pre-draft process but performed poorly at the combine, resulting in several other backs coming off the board before him. The Texas A&M product will need to return to full health and demonstrate his value to the coaching staff to earn a role in this offense. Spiller remains more of a player to monitor in redraft leagues, but he possesses long-term upside for those in dynasty/keeper leagues.
