Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler is requesting permission to speak with other teams about a potential trade after preliminary talks with the team aimed at a contract extension did not progress, his agent Cameron Weiss told ESPN.

This would obviously be a big deal if the two sides can't come to an agreement. If Ekeler is traded, he'll likely see a similar role to what he has with the Chargers, though he could land in a more crowded backfield and see his usage decline. Ekeler was fifth in the league in receptions (107) and was second only to Christian McCaffrey in receiving yards (722) among running backs.

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said S Derwin James Jr. (quad) could return to practice at some point this week. RB Austin Ekeler (shoulder) had tests done, Staley said, that were negative.

Related Players: Joshua Kelley

Joshua Kelley was the only other running back to receive a carry in Austin Ekeler's absence but it was short-lived as Ekeler not only returned but scored a touchdown and ended up with a decent 70 yards from scrimmage. Unless he misses the week of practices, Ekeler has to be started everywhere in Week 16.

Keenan Allen won’t practice today, per Brandon Staley.

Related players: Mike Williams, Gerald Everett, Austin Ekeler

He’s day to day with the hamstring injury. The tweet went on to say it's unclear right now if he will be back at practice this week, and his status for Week 5 is obviously up in the air. With Allen out last week, it was Williams, Everett and Ekeler who stepped up in the passing game. Everett and Ekeler had TD catches and Williams had a line of 7-120-0.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen is unlikely to play Thursday night against the Chiefs.

Related players: Mike Williams, Josh Palmer, DeAndre Carter, Jalen Guyton, Gerald Everett, Austin Ekeler

The tweet went on to say there is optimism after tests that his hamstring injury isn’t anything long-term, per sources. The Bolts Week 3 game is Sept. 25 against the Jaguars, two full weeks after the injury and the hope is there is a chance Allen will be ready to go for that contest. Allen led the way with a 4-66-0 line but Williams was pretty much a no-show. Carter posted a 3-64-1 line and Everett a 3-54-1 line. Palmer had three catches for just five years.

The Chargers released their official depth chart and some interesting notes:
-Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel are both listed as RB2
(Isaiah Spiller RB4)

Related players: Austin Ekeler

No surprises here really. The Chargers just signed Michel to at least help compliment Ekeler. While the Dolphins cut Michel, it seems like the Bolts aren't totally sold on going with Kelley as the backup, even though he had a nice camp, according to reports. Spiller was banged up a bit this offseason so he'll likely need more time before he's fantasy relevant and gets to move up the depth chart.

The Los Angeles Chargers plan to sign running back Sony Michel, who was released by the Miami Dolphins earlier this week, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Related players: Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller, Larry Roundtree

As part of the transaction, the team is releasing Roundtree. Michel should slide right into the RB2 role ahead of Kelly and Spiller. Spiller is battling an injury and while Kelley had a good camp and was winning the RB2 battle, Michel can be considered an upgrade and should form a nice compliment to Ekeler.

RB Isaiah Spiller back at practice

Related players: Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree

With Ekeler the lead back, right now Kelley is the team's RB2. However Spiller could be ready to go for Week 1, and if not, it should only be a matter of time before Spiller moves up the depth chart. It was also reported Sony Michel, recently released by the Dolphins, was in town to meet with the Bolts, so this is something to monitor.

RB Isaiah Spiller (ankle) will miss the final preseason game and there is “a chance” he’ll miss the season opener Week 1 against the Raiders, Brandon Staley said.

Related players: Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree

Kelley, according to several reports, is ahead of everyone in terms of the RB2 role, so this will likely solidify that situation. Ekeler will get a bulk of the work and Rountree could see some snaps as well until Spiller gets back. Spiller could climb into the RB2 role eventually, but for now that will be Kelley.

Joshua Kelley started Saturday’s preseason game against the Rams and had a really efficient game, totaling 44 yards from scrimmage on six touches. In Tuesday’s practice, Kelley continued to get the most first-team work of the three running backs vying for the second running back spot behind Austin Ekeler — Larry Rountree III, rookie Isaiah Spiller and Kelley.

Seems like a bit of an upset fi Kelley comes away with the job, especially with the rookie Spiller garnering a lot of post-NFL Draft hype. Ekeler is ranked fourth on our RB list so he'll get a bulk of the work out of the backfield, especially in the passing game. But the team will have a need for a between-the-tackles-type runner. For Ekeler owners, this is a battle to keep an eye on throughout camp. For the record, the story said the team is happy with Spiller's development to this point.

Austin Ekeler, Larry Rountree and Joshua Kelley all got work at running back with the first-team offense. Isaiah Spiller continues to play primarily with the second and third teams.

Related players: Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree

The story added Spiller is starting to show the physical play. We have Spiller second on the team's depth chart behind Ekeler, and it's the physical, between the tackles runs that should get him to the point where he's a possible one-two punch with Ekeler.