Struggles Continue for LA Chargers as Austin Ekeler Speaks Out
The Chargers find themselves in a must-win situation after a 2-4 start, with Austin Ekeler's return not living up to expectations.
In a season that the Los Angeles Chargers had high hopes for, they now find themselves in an unexpected and challenging position. With a current record of 2-4, every game moving forward is virtually a must-win for the Bolts. The struggles that have plagued the team in recent weeks, particularly in the run game, are partially attributed to the absence of their star running back, Austin Ekeler. His return, while eagerly anticipated, has not met expectations, and Ekeler himself didn’t hold back in assessing his own performance.
Key Takeaways:
- The Chargers are currently 2-4 and face the pressure of having to win nearly every game moving forward.
- Austin Ekeler’s absence due to injury has been a significant factor in the team’s struggles.
- Ekeler’s return to the lineup has not yielded the results fans had hoped for.
Before their Week 5 bye, Ekeler missed three games as he recovered from a high ankle sprain. This absence had a notable impact on the team’s performance, especially in the running game. Upon his return, however, Ekeler has not been the dynamic player fans have come to expect. In the two games since his return, he has recorded 14 carries for 72 rushing yards, five receptions for 36 receiving yards, and zero touchdowns.
“It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter how I feel about it. I don’t give a damn about how I feel. I’m not spending one ounce of my energy thinking about how I feel because it doesn’t matter. What matters is I have to go execute. And if I don’t feel like I did that at a high level, I can’t think about anything besides that. And so that’s where I’m coming from, where it’s like, how do you feel about Staley? I don’t have an opinion about that. Because I gotta make sure I do my job first.”
In a candid self-assessment, Ekeler acknowledged his underwhelming performance, stating, “He’s been horrendous, we know it, he knows it, and he didn’t hold back on himself.”
Despite his harsh self-criticism, it’s evident that Ekeler is aware of the pressure the team is under. This pressure was highlighted when he was asked about the team’s faith in head coach Brandon Staley. Ekeler responded, “We have no choice, right?” This response, as it turns out, was more a reflection of his frustration over recent losses than a lack of faith in Staley’s coaching abilities.
“I think the clip got taken out of context,” Ekeler explained Wednesday, per NFL Network’s Bridget Condon. “It doesn’t matter how I feel, like, what matters is I have to go out and do my job. It’s my job to go play well, and then that will [in turn] make Staley look even better.”
As the Chargers aim to turn their season around, both Ekeler and Staley need to step up their game. The team’s talent is undeniable, but their performance thus far has fallen short of expectations. With plenty of football left to be played, the question remains whether they can rise to the occasion and put their season back on track. Time is ticking, and the Bolts must find a way to secure vital victories in the games ahead.
