Kalen Ballage Fantasy Stats

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed free-agent running back Kalen Ballage and offensive lineman Rashaad Coward to undisclosed one-year deals on Tuesday. Ballage, 25, spent time with the New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers in 2020, running for 303 yards and three touchdowns on 91 carries. He also had 29 receptions for 166 yards last year. The three-year veteran was a fourth-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2018 out of Arizona State. He was used sparingly with Miami and had just 191 yards as a rookie. Ballage was a successful injury replacement in LA, playing in eight games (two starts) in 2020, but he never ran for more than 69 yards in a game as part of a committee. The 25-year-old will represent backfield depth behind Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland Jr.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kalen Ballage (ankle) is expected to play on Sunday against the Patriots. Ballage handled 20-plus touches in two games sans Austin Ekeler, though the latter returned with Ballage out last week and saw a monstrous, 25-touch workload. Ekeler is the obvious lead back in Los Angeles, though the team likely still wants to be smart with his health down the stretch, which opens up an opportunity for Ballage or fellow backup Joshua Kelley, who scored a touchdown last week. It's probably best to avoid this backfield besides Ekeler, as Ballage and Kelley are just low-end flex plays at best.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kalen Ballage (ankle), cornerback Casey Hayward (groin) and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (chest) are questionable to play in Week 13 against the Patriots. Ballage practiced in full on Friday, so he should be active on Sunday. However, with Austin Ekeler returning from Injured Reserve last week and leading the backfield, Ballage has essentially lost the fleeting fantasy value that he had when Ekeler was on IR. He'll be fighting for touches with rookie Joshua Kelley and Troymaine Pope behind Ekeler on Sunday. Ekeler is right back in the RB1 conversation in his second game back. If Hayward can't suit up, it'll put more responsibility on cornerback Chris Harris Jr. in LA's secondary and upgrade the matchup for Patriots quarterback Cam Newton.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kalen Ballage (ankle), linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (chest) and offensive guard Trai Turner (ankle) were all limited in practice on Wednesday. Ballage was inactive in the Week 12 loss to the Bills, but he's on the right track to make his return in Week 13 against the Patriots. The 24-year-old saw double-digit carries from Weeks 9-11 and was also seeing usage in the passing game, putting him in the flex consideration. However, Austin Ekeler returned from Injured Reserve last weekend and should remain as the team's featured back to close out the season. Ballage could still be mixed in here and there alongside Joshua Kelley and Troymaine Pope, but Ekeler's return has all but killed the fleeting fantasy value that he had.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kalen Ballage (ankle, calf) is not expected to play against the Bills In Week 12. Ballage was listed as questionable and is a game-time decision, though it appears he is on the wrong side of that designation. This coincides with the news that Austin Ekeler (hamstring) was activated and is expected to make his return to the field. While the Chargers won't run Ekeler into the ground, it's likely that the star back will see at least 15 touches against a Buffalo defense that struggles to contain the ground game. This would put Ekeler squarely in the RB2 conversation, with a bit of risk. Troymaine Pope could have some flex value if Ballage doesn't go, though he wouldn't be an option you can start with any sort of confidence.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kalen Ballage (ankle, calf) is questionable ahead of a matchup with an underachieving Bills' defense. Ballage appears to have a good chance of playing after logging limited practice sessions all week. He hasn't looked all that impressive as a runner but has a stranglehold on the Chargers' backfield, as he's averaged 21 touches per contest over the last three games. That's a borderline RB1 workload that the coaching staff is trusting the 24-year old with. Of course, this could all change if Austin Ekeler (hamstring) returns in Week 12. If Ekeler is out, play Ballage as an RB2, albeit one with risk of re-injury. If Ekeler goes, he'll be an RB2 and will bump Ballage into flex territory, as Los Angeles isn't likely to give the former a heavy workload in his return.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kalen Ballage (ankle, calf) is listed as questionable for Week 12 against the Bills. Ballage was limited in practice this week, so he should be able to play, barring a last-minute setback. But we also don't know for sure yet if Austin Ekeler (hamstring) will return yet after being designated to return from Injured Reserve this week. But if Ekeler sits out another game, which is expected, Ballage should continue to be the leader of this backfield while fending off rookie Joshua Kelley and Troymaine Pope. The Bills Defense has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per game to running backs, too, so Ballage will be in the RB2 conversation if he's active and Ekeler remains sidelined.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kalen Ballage rushed 15 times for 48 yards and caught seven balls for 27 yards in Week 11 against the New York Jets. Ballage received the bulk of the backfield snaps on Sunday. With Austin Ekeler (hamstring) and Justin Jackson (knee) both on IR, Ballage will continue to be the top backfield option for the Chargers and should be rostered in all formats as a RB2/flex options. Next up for the running back will a favorable matchup versus the Buffalo Bills.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kalen Ballage (leg) limped off the field during the team's opening drive in Sunday's game against the New York Jets. Ballage had a four-yard run and a two-yard catch before appearing to injure his leg. Luckily, he returned to the field during the team's next drive. He should be the team's primary rusher in Week 11 withJoshua Kelley and Troymaine Popeplaying complementary roles.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kalen Ballage will look to get revenge versus his former team in a Week 11 matchup versus the New York Jets. Ballage has been a nice surprise for both the Chargers and fantasy managers over the past two weeks and head coach Anthony Lynn named Ballage the team's primary running back on Monday. Ballage has a very favorable matchup in Week 11 versus a Jets Defense that is allowing 101 yards per game and just under a touchdown per game to opposing runners. Managers should feel confident starting Ballage on Sunday as a RB2, but should also be aware that his time being valuable might not last long with Austin Ekeler (hamstring) working his way back from IR.