The Los Angeles Chargers’ talented running back, Austin Ekeler, departed to the Washington Commanders during the offseason. He didn’t want to keep having over 300 touches a season because his body could not handle it.
“They wanted a guy they can hand the ball off to 300 times a year, and, look, I haven’t had the capacity to do that,” Ekeler said Monday on FanDuel TV’s Up & Adams, via USA Today. “That’s not my game. That’s not how Austin Ekeler is going to be the best on the field. So there was a misalignment there, which, no harm no foul. I’ll go somewhere else where Austin can be the best version of myself out there.”
Losing Ekeler to the Commanders left their running back room thin. The Chargers signed two running backs from the same team this offseason.
The Los Angeles Chargers signed an RB from the AFC North
![REPORT: The Los Angeles Chargers' 7-Year Offensive Weapon Takes Early Lead Against Long-Time Teammate in the Competition for a Starting Spot 1 Baltimore Ravens, Gus Edwards, Free Agency](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_21913246_168400517_lowres.jpg)
The Chargers signed Gus Edwards to a 2-year, $6.5 million contract. Edwards, an undrafted free agent from 2018, spent the first six seasons of his career with the Ravens, rushing for 3,395 yards and 26 touchdowns in 69 career games. He led all running backs on the team in rushing for two of his six seasons.
Edwards missed all of the 2021 season with an ACL tear. He missed the first six games of 2022 to recover from the previous injury and two more with a hamstring injury. He played every game in 2023, leading all Ravens’ running backs in rushing.
They also signed his teammate.
The Los Angeles Chargers signed his teammate
![REPORT: The Los Angeles Chargers' 7-Year Offensive Weapon Takes Early Lead Against Long-Time Teammate in the Competition for a Starting Spot 2 Baltimore Ravens, J.K. Dobbins](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_16646366-scaled.jpg)
The Chargers signed J.K. Dobbins to a 1-year, $1.61 million contract. Dobbins, a second-round pick from 2020, spent the first four seasons of his career with the Ravens, rushing for 1,347 yards and 12 touchdowns in 24 games, and led all Ravens’ running backs in rushing in his rookie season. Unfortunately, he battled many injuries.
Dobbins missed the 2021 season with a torn ACL, a meniscus trim, an LCL tear, and a hamstring tear in their preseason finale. He missed the first two games of 2022 to recover from the previous injury. However, he underwent surgery to remove scar tissue from the prior injury and missed six more games. He, unfortunately, tore his Achilles in the season opener in 2023.
Thankfully, Dobbins is fully healthy and is ready to compete for the starting job. So far, one player has taken the early.
Which running back has taken the early lead?
![REPORT: The Los Angeles Chargers' 7-Year Offensive Weapon Takes Early Lead Against Long-Time Teammate in the Competition for a Starting Spot 3 Baltimore Ravens, Gus Edwards](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/USATSI_22338727_168400517_lowres.webp)
Despite battling an injury during offseason workouts, Gus Edwards has taken the early lead, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic.
“I see Edwards as the clear lead back. The secondary touches are open for competition, though if Dobbins is healthy, I think he wins that job. Edwards was nursing an injury in the spring, but according to Harbaugh, he should be ready for camp.”
Things could change when training camp begins and put on the pads.