Austin Ekeler to return to practice in Week 12

The Los Angeles Chargers are designating running back Austin Ekeler for return to practice in Week 12, but his status is not clear for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. The team has three weeks to return him to the 53-man roster, so they don’t have to do it immediately. Any decision for this week would come by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Ekeler has been on injured reserve since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 4. Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley, and Kalen Ballage have all gotten significant work at running back since Ekeler was sidelined.

Jackson picked up starting work before injuring his knee and going on injured reserve. Ballage is the current lead back while Kelley has seen his work go down in spite of the injuries at the position.

The Chargers face a Bills team that ranks 26th in run defense efficiency and 27th in adjusted line yards. Buffalo ranks 18th in fantasy points allowed to the running back position.