Austin Ekeler out; CJ Stroud, Amari Cooper questionable; Chase Young cleared

By | September 17, 2023

Scroll down for Saturday’s injury updates from around the NFL.

The Los Angeles Chargers offense won’t be at full strength Sunday as star running back Austin Ekeler has been ruled out for the matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Ekeler injured his ankle in the season opener against the Miami Dolphins and was not at practice Friday.

Over the past two seasons, he has amassed 38 total touchdowns. The 28-year-old led the NFL last season with 18 touchdowns, setting career highs in rushing yards (915), receptions (107) and receiving yards (722). His 20 touchdowns in 2021 also led the NFL. His absence could be felt even more on Sunday, considering that last year Tennessee had the fastest defense in the league.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) runs before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is out. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

The Chargers could be without another key player in pursuit of their first win of the season, with defensive end Joey Bosa listed as questionable. Bosa was at practice Friday but did not participate fully. Last season he was limited by a groin injury that required surgery, and the hope was that he could pick up where he left off. He posted double-digit seasons in four of his first six years in the league.

Ekeler and Bosa may not be the only players missing for the Chargers on Sunday, either. Read on for each team’s injury designations for Week 2:

Week 2 Friday Injury Reports

Los Angeles Chargers

RB Austin Ekeler (ankle): Out after missing practice

OLB Joey Bosa (hamstring): Questionable

LB Eric Kendricks (hamstring/personal reasons): Doubtful

LB Daiyan Henley (hamstring): Doubtful

LB Chris Rumph II (hamstring): Doubtful

DE Chase Young (neck): Cleared to play

WR Curtis Samuel (hip): Cleared to play

DB Jartavius ​​Martin (concussion): Out

TE Travis Kelce (bone bruise): Questionable, expected to play according to coach Andy Reid

DE Chris Jones (returning from holdout): Expected to play

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness): Questionable

QB CJ Stroud (shoulder): Questionable

OT Laremy Tunsil (knee): Questionable

LB Neville Hewitt (illness): Questionable

S Jalen Pitre (chest): Out

S Jimmie Ward (hip): Out

WR Amari Cooper questionable, groin aggravated in practice

S Juan Thornhill (calf) questionable

TE Mark Andrews (quad): Questionable

OT Ronnie Stanley (knee): Out

C Tyler Linderbaum (ankle): Out

CB Marlon Humphrey (knee): Out

S Marcus Williams (bib): Out

Denver Broncos:

TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring): Out

OLB Frank Clark (hip): Out

WR Jerry Jeudy (hamstring): No injury designation, expected to play

RB Aaron Jones (hamstring): Questionable

WR Christian Watson (hamstring): Questionable

LT David Bakhtiari (knee): Questionable

LB Quay Walker (concussion): Questionable

Miami Dolphins

RB Raheem Mostert (knee): Expected to play

OT Terron Armstead (back/ankle/knee): Questionable

WR Brandin Cooks (knee): Game-time decision, per Jerry Jones

OL Tyler Smith (hamstring): Probably won’t play, according to Jones

WR Puka Nacua (oblique): Questionable

Cornerback Samuel Womack (knee): Out

LB Markus Bailey (knee): Questionable

RB Chris Evans (hamstring): Questionable

DE Joseph Ossai (ankle): Questionable

WR Jakobi Meyers (concussion): Out

DE Chandler Jones (personal): Out

RB Zack Moss (forearm): Full practice participant, no game day designation

G Quenton Nelson (tip): Questionable

TE Drew Ogletree (concussion): Questionable

Tennessee Titans

WR DeAndre Hopkins (ankle): Questionable

TE Darren Waller (hamstring): No injury designation

OT Andrew Thomas (hamstring): Questionable

WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee): Doubtful

LB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring) is questionable

OT Taylor Moton (biceps): Limited to estimated workout (try Friday)

WR DJ Chark (hamstring): Limited

CB Jaycee Horn (hamstring): Out

OG Brandon Scherff (ankle): Expected to play

C Luke Fortner (ankle): Expected to play

OT Taylor Decker (ankle): Long shot to play, according to coach Dan Campbell

DE Josh Paschal (unspecified practice injury): Missed practice Friday

DB Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring): Unlikely to play, per Campbell

RB Breece Hall: Will continue to count throws in return from ACL injury, per coach Robert Saleh

K Greg Zuerlein (groin): Questionable

DB Josh Blackwell (hamstring): Doubtful

CB Carlton Davis (tip): Out

DL Calijah Kancey (calf): Out

LB SirVocea Dennis (hamstring): Out

S Christian Izien (concussion): Questionable

LB Troy Andersen (concussion): Out

CB Jeff Okudah (foot): Out

S Budda Baker (hamstring): Questionable

OL Kelvin Beachum (hand): Questionable

DL Leki Fotu (shoulder): Questionable

LB Josh Woods (ankle): Out

DL LJ Collier (biceps): Out

S Jamal Adams (knee): Out

T Charles Cross (toe): Out

DE Mike Morris (shoulder): Out

LB Boye Mafe (knee): Questionable

LB Devin Bush (shoulder): Questionable

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