Hamstring panic, Studs & Duds and Zeke vs Austin | Ekeler’s Edge

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler joins Yahoo Sports’ fantasy expert Liz Loza to explain his hamstring scare that sent fantasy managers into a frenzy. Our RB1 tells you whether to Freak Out or Slow Your Roll on week 1’s Studs and Duds. Finally, Austin closes the show with a preview of a game full of fantasy implications, the Chargers home opener against the Cowboys.

Video Transcript

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AUSTIN EKELER: Yeah, I'm leaning towards Freak Out with Davante Adams. It's not because Davante is not a good player. Davante is an amazing player. But it's because I just think they have a lot more to figure out as far as their team right now offensively and defensively.

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LIZ LOZA: What is up, everyone? Welcome to "Ekeler's Edge." I'm Liz Loza, and this is, of course, Chargers running back, fantasy football superstar, and amateur bull rider, Austin Ekeler.

AUSTIN EKELER: Ah. What is up, everyone? Welcome back to episode three. Really looking forward to what we got today as always.

LIZ LOZA: We've got a great show for you this week. Austin will give us an inside look at what was an eventful opening week for him. We'll go through week one fantasy studs and duds, and look ahead to a big week two match-up for Austin's Chargers as they host the Cowboys in a game full of fantasy implications.

All right, Austin, let's start with your week one. Thursday night, news breaks that you hurt your hamstring. You're held out of practice, the fantasy world for freaks out. Then, on Sunday, you suit up, everyone breathes a sigh of relief.

Then, less than 10 minutes into the game, you score a touchdown, and everybody goes nuts again. So first of all, we are so glad you're healthy. Secondly, can you please take us through all of that? Like, what happened, how did you spend the three days leading up to the game, and how are you feeling now?

AUSTIN EKELER: Right, I get it now. I get it. After I've been in the fantasy world for a little bit longer, I understand, like, the importance, especially if you took me first round, right?

So when I hurt my hamstring, it was actually on a Monday. Usually, Monday is my heavy squad day, so that might have had something to do with it. I might have been a little bit dehydrated just from a longer weekend. And so there was just a lot of things that might have played into it. I'm trying to give a reason for why it happened.

Regardless, you know, tweaked my hamstring a little bit on that practice. Nothing crazy like last year, not even close, but just enough that I was like, you know, this doesn't feel right. And so ended up sitting out Wednesday and Thursday's practice, and then participated back on Friday.

LIZ LOZA: That timeline makes a ton of sense now. Thank you for clarifying all that.

AUSTIN EKELER: I'm sorry to give everyone a little shock, but yeah, it was good to go. It was more precautionary.

LIZ LOZA: You are bringing this kind of drama on episode three. "Gray's Anatomy" waited until season three. So we appreciate you, especially the way it ended. But, I mean, there were definitely managers who were concerned, because you weren't targeted in the passing game. And we all know that you're such an awesome receiver out of the backfield, so what was up with that?

AUSTIN EKELER: I mean, just going into this week, you know, we understood who we were playing, right? We were playing Washington football team. They got four first-rounders up front in their d-line. So we were gonna make sure that these D-ends were not gonna be a problem, or not a factor, as much as we could.

I mean, hey, we're gonna be chipping these guys, we're gonna be putting our tight ends on these guys, we're gonna do some different play styles where we're blocking a little bit longer so we can give Justin Herbert some more time. Because of that, guess what? I'm not getting out our routes like I usually am, versus a traditional four down front. It definitely took away from my fantasy as far as catching the ball, you know?

It's still somewhat productive in the run game, got a [INAUDIBLE]. So hey, I was able to pull through for some points. But don't get used to it. They definitely have a lot more games left, and a lot more fantasy points to be scored for sure.

LIZ LOZA: We'll talk about your game this week against the Cowboys a little bit later in the show. So Austin, there were several surprising fantasy studs in week 1. We're gonna focus on the quarterbacks here, all of whom, by the way, were top 12 fantasy producers for the week. I'll give you the QB in his week one line, and you tell me if fantasy managers should buy in or slow their roll. Let's start with-- I mean I gotta-- Jameis Winston, 148 yards and five touchdowns in a decisive 38 to 3 win over Green Bay, of all teams.

AUSTIN EKELER: Right, that's so wild, right? 148 yards, five touchdowns, right? I was looking into it like, what the heck? They only have 20 passes. He only threw the ball 20 times.

And so literally, right, over a third of his caught passes were touchdowns. The Green Bay Packers had a rough start, and the Saints definitely took advantage of it. So, you know, I'm gonna say-- I'm gonna say slow your roll a little bit, you know? I feel like that's not a predominant-- like, he went out there and dominated.

You know, he definitely deserves credit for, you know, five touchdowns, no interceptions. James's pass, we know he likes to throw the ball around a little, gets a little careless sometimes. It is what it is. I think he's gonna be able to build off it. But for now, I'm still saying slow your roll.

LIZ LOZA: Well, let's switch gears to your former teammate, actually. Tyrod Taylor, now in Houston, threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Jacksonville where everybody was looking at the rookie quarterback. But it was actually the vet who got the dub.

AUSTIN EKELER: I'm buying into Tyrod Taylor, special guy in my heart. Just because, you know, I worked with him for a few years. I was really confident, you know, having this guy lead our team. Just seeing him get another opportunity, then seeing him go out there and actually produce in a new place, right, where people are kind of unsure, like, hey, what are we gonna get out of this guy, it was really awesome to me.

The thing that I love about him, too, just as far as his game, is just how athletic he is. As far as his athletic ability, people don't really understand, because he hasn't played as much. But he can keep plays going, he can run, keep plays alive, which makes the defense cover for a lot longer. So, you know, as far as fantasy, and, hey, potential rushing yards out there too for fantasy owners--

LIZ LOZA: Well, if we're talking about mobile quarterbacks, then we have to talk about Jalen Hurts, because he had himself a game in week one. He managed three touchdowns in a win over the Falcons.

AUSTIN EKELER: Yeah, I'm buying into Jalen Hurts, you know? I'm gonna continue to ride Jalen Hurts, you know? I'm a fan. I'm a fan. Obviously, I'm a fan of mobile quarterbacks and you see this. And I think Jalen is gonna have a great career as well. I'm looking forward to seeing him play.

LIZ LOZA: Well, with the good always comes a little bit of bad. And there were also several surprising duds in week 1. We're gonna turn our attention to wide receivers this time. I'll give you, Austin, the wideout and his line, and you can tell me if fantasy managers should freak out or stay calm. Let's begin with Davante Adams. Five grabs, 56 yards.

AUSTIN EKELER: Yeah this one-- this one's personal. This one hurts a little bit for me, too. Because I used to have Davante Adams on my last fantasy team, and he balled out for me. So I understand the pain out there.

I'm like, man, just for the Green Bay Packers in general, just the outing was-- I think it surprised a lot of people. But I know something that now they don't have, because I have him, is Corey Linsley-- you know, their all-pro center, which is not a factor in their team anymore. There's a lot of stuff with Aaron Rodgers going on. I'm really curious, like, what's going on with the organization, especially because of the outing.

Because it was so uncharacteristic of the Green Bay Packers, right? And it kind of kills me to say yeah, I'm leaning towards freak out with Davante Adams. It's not because Davante is not a good player. Davante is an amazing player. But it's because I just think they have a lot more to figure out as far as their team right now offensively and defensively.

LIZ LOZA: Wow. I'm gonna say stay calm, because the Packers get the Lions on Monday night in week two. And I think if there was ever a get right spot for Davante Adams, Aaron Rodgers, and the entire Packers organization, it's gonna be Monday night.

How about another vet that we talked about in episode two, actually? Julio Jones made his debut as a Tennessee Titan not wearing number 11, by the way, which I was totally tilted by. He managed just three receptions for 29 yards in something that was supposed to be the shootout versus Arizona. But, you know, the Titans weren't really answering any of the Cardinals' calls there.

AUSTIN EKELER: Right. I think, man, with the Titans, a lot of the offense stems through their man in the backfield, Derrick Henry. And they were shutting him down. You got to stop Derrick Henry. If you don't, it's gonna be a long day for you.

It's a new place, you know, for Julio. I'm not saying that's an excuse. He's definitely one of the greats, and he has been for a long time. And so I'm gonna stay calm, because I think, you know, he'll get the run game going. It's gonna open up the receivers, especially Julio, as far as how productive he can be. But yeah, I think he's gonna be productive going forward.

LIZ LOZA: Lastly, let's discuss Mike Evans. I know this one is personal to you too.

AUSTIN EKELER: It is.

LIZ LOZA: He converted 3 of 6 for 24. The team won, but fantasy managers were obviously disappointed.

AUSTIN EKELER: Right. It's one of those things where, especially with Tom Brady, you know, he's getting the ball out to everybody, right? And it's who's showing up that day, you know? It's been Mike Evans a lot in the past.

This is definitely something to stay calm about. And I always remember Coach Lynn used to say, hey, if they're hot, keep them going, keep them going. And stay calm. Mike Evans definitely was on my team last year. A lot of points to come from him.

LIZ LOZA: I mean, he's definitely finding the end zone in week two and bouncing back. Austin this week on your extra point, we're gonna look ahead to your Chargers home opener against the Dallas Cowboys. The over under for this one is set at 55. That is currently the second-highest projected point total for the week per bet MGM. Are you expecting a high-scoring game?

AUSTIN EKELER: I mean, from my offensive perspective, I'm obviously biased. I think we're gonna go score every drive. So yeah, no, I'm projecting a high-scoring game just in the fact of what I've seen from their first game and how they were able to respond. I think that's something that we were able to do too in our game, you know?

We got down in, like, the third quarter, and we were able to respond, right? And that's what it comes down to, how quickly can you respond, can you stay level-headed, can you continue to push through? I think what decides this game is gonna be a turnover battle and time of possession.

LIZ LOZA: Fair enough, fair enough. Well, let's get to the quarterbacks, because they are both coming off strong performances in week one. In his first game since a gruesome ankle injury last October, Dak Prescott topped 400 yards and tossed three touchdowns.

Meanwhile, it looks like there will be no sophomore slump for your guy, Justin Herbert. Number 10 threw for 337 yards and a score. Which guy would you start on your fantasy team this week?

AUSTIN EKELER: Right. First, before we get into that, shout out to Dak, man, coming through off of a disgusting injury, like, horrific, and coming back. There's a lot of pressure, a lot of-- everyone's looking at Dak, Dak, Dak, right? And he came through, and pulled through, put in the work that his teammates said that he's been doing, which was obvious even though they came up short, you know?

J Herb too, you know? I give a shout out to my man, J Herbs. Both of them, man, both of them got me juiced. Who am I starting? Who am I-- I mean, I can't start Dak against my team.

Like, I got to start Herbert, especially because he's gonna be throwing the ball to me too and handing it off to me. So that, in general, you know, puts some of the responsibility of his success on my hands, which, then I can bet on myself a little bit. So definitely starting Herbert.

LIZ LOZA: We have a match-up of first round fantasy running backs in this one. Austin, both you and Zeke had to spend a lot of your time on the field blocking in week one. You against, as we discussed earlier, Washington's front four, and Zeke against the Bucs. Do you see a bigger role for both of you this week?

AUSTIN EKELER: Yeah, we're gonna see a different type of style. So, you know, we might not be chipping as much this week. And I think a lot of it, for us, was we had a rookie tackle last game, you know? We're gonna see, hey, is he legit, is he legit like that? So yeah, he was locked down.

So it was like, all right, now we got a little bit more confidence in our left tackle going forward. So that also helps me get out, you know? People don't understand, like, hey, we have to block first those running backs. A lot of our passing games come from check downs, right? And what does a check down mean?

It means something's breaking down, quarterback's got to get the ball out of their hands. And that's how it was for Zeke as well, you know, with the Bucs' front. You know, they blitz, I feel like, more than everyone. I think it'll be a little bit different just as far as our fronts going into this game. So I think you're gonna see a lot more points out of the passing game than last week for both of us.

LIZ LOZA: Well, it is going to be a barn burner for sure we. Are all super excited. And thank you, Austin, for talking through your week one, giving us a preview to your week two, and helping fantasy managers cope along the way. That is gonna do it for this week of "Ekeler's Edge."

AUSTIN EKELER: Awesome, thanks, everyone.