Team news: Washington Commanders | Page 1

Coach Brandon Staley, who has previously been firm that Austin Ekeler is the Chargers' top running back despite their rushing struggles, hinted that changes could be coming to the Los Angeles backfield.

"Competition for carries is going to be something that you can see happening," Staley said Wednesday. "We're going to keep exploring, making adjustments, so that we can find that rhythm that I've been talking about. That's certainly one way to do it."

Related Players: Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller

Ekeler has been very inefficient since returning from injury, never topping 70 yards on the ground in the last eight games, and routinely finishing with less than 3.5 yards per carry. The Chargers still have an outside shot at a playoff berth, so a change makes sense.

Ekeler should still be started in fantasy leagues, but a lighter workload should push him out of high-end RB1 considerations.

Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) and Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) both left the field Sunday.

Stevenson was injured on a hip-drop tackle against the Chargers, a tackle the NFL may look to ban next offseason and the tackle that took out Ravens TE Mark Andrews. The Patriots were shutout 6-0 by the Chargers to fall to 2-10 on the year. Robinson left the game against the Dolphins in the second quarter after seven rushes for 53 yards, which still led the team in their 45-15 loss to Miami to fall to 4-9.

Cardinals and TE Zach Ertz are mutually parting ways, with Arizona deciding to move forward with its TE Trey McBride while giving Ertz the opportunity to finish out the season somewhere else. Ertz will go on waivers.

Related Players: Trey McBride

This makes sense, getting a much more explosive McBride on the field rather than mixing them both in with Ertz returning to health. Ertz could be picked up somewhere who needs TE help, and the Eagles wouldn't be out of the question if there are any hiccups in Dallas Goedert's return from his own injury.

Commanders RB Antonio Gibson, a game-time decision and questionable with a toe injury, is active today. A boost for Washington.

Related Players: Brian Robinson, Chris Rodriguez

This limits Robinson's ceiling, particularly in the passing game. He should remain a low-end RB2, as Gibson can be plugged into desperate FLEX positions.

Per Nicki; "RB Antonio Gibson (toe) is not out here."

Related Players: Brian Robinson, Chris Rodriguez

It kinda seemed like Robinson was in the Antonio Gibson role last Sunday, as he ran 19 routes to Gibson's 22 as both received six targets. Robinson also took one 51-yards for a touchdown. Rodriguez would assuredly get more run if Gibson misses, but not enough to plug him into a lineup.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has worn a brace on his left leg in recent weeks without missing any time, but it looked like that might change after he took a shot to his left knee in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.

Hurts stayed down before making his way off the field, but he was back at it in the third quarter.

Related players: Marcus Mariota, Tanner McKee

It was a concerning scene for a while after Hurts went down and Mariotta started warming up. Mariotta struggled in the preseason, so much so many who follow the team wondered if he'd even survive cuts. McKee is the team's QB3. Hurts ended up not missing a play but appeared to limp at times. The story added after the game, Hurts was asked about his knee but continued to avoid any specific discussion of what might be ailing him. He said he’s looking forward to some extra time off this week, as the Eagles have a bye in Week 10.

Commanders ruled out WR Curtis Samuel for Sunday’s game at New England due to a toe injury.

Related Players: Jamison Crowder

Crowder should get the immediate boost in production, particularly after he turned his seven targets into a 7-95-1 line last week. He is still a desperation play.

The Eagles signed Julio Jones to their active roster, off their own practice squad.

Related Players: Olamide Zaccheaus

Julio caught a touchdown in his second game with the Philadelphia Eagles, and he is now officially off of the practice squad. We shouldn't expect fantasy-relevant usage from the veteran, but he should continue to operate in the Quez Watkins role.

The Cardinals are putting TE Zach Ertz on IR, sources tell me and Tom Pelissero.

Related players: Trey McBride

Ertz, who has 27 catches for 187 yards and a TD this season, suffered a quad strain on Sunday. The plan is for him to return later in the year, the post went on to say. In the meantime, McBride will officially take over the TE1 role, but may have even before Ertz's injury. McBride had six targets in Week 7 and finished with a line of 3-29-0. However, he made some waves in Week 6 when he played more snaps and finished with a line of 4-62-0. If you're struggling at the position, McBride is certainly worth a look.