Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Disappointing rookie season
Rotowire
Spiller finished the 2022-23 season with just 41 yards on 18 carries and caught all three of his targets for 13 yards.
Spiller appeared in just six games during his rookie season, as he was the odd-man out in the Chargers' backfield. The rookie running back was unable to carve himself a consistent role on offense and was repeatedly a healthy scratch. With Sony Michel now gone, Spiller will look to live up to his status as a fourth-round pick and will compete with Joshua Kelley for a more prominent role next season.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Inactive versus Rams
Rotowire
Spiller (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Rams.
With Spiller the odd man out Sunday, Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree are in line to handle Chargers' backfield duties in Week 17.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Active but absent
Rotowire
Spiller was active for Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Raiders, but did not record a snap.
Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley wound up as the only two running backs to take a snap in Sunday's loss. At this point, it's obvious the rookie's role has completely evaporated with the return of Kelley, and that's unlikely to change with the Chargers still in playoff contention.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Role diminished in win
Rotowire
Spiller carried the ball two times for three yards while catching his only target for two yards Sunday in the 25-24 win against the Cardinals.
Spiller saw his usage drop compared to the past three weeks, as he was outplayed by Joshua Kelley who made his return to action after missing four games with a sprained MCL. Kelley seemed to reestablish himself as the primary backup behind Austin Ekeler, playing 14 snaps compared to just eight snaps from the rookie running back. Even with a favorable matchup against the Raiders next week, Spiller doesn't have much fantasy value save for the deepest of leagues.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Week 12 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Spiller is the No. 2 running back for the Chargers behind Austin Ekeler since he's played the second-most snaps at the position for three games in a row, ahead of Sony Michel. That makes Spiller a lottery-ticket to roster in all leagues for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB. Should something happen to Ekeler, Spiller and Michel would likely split touches, but Spiller offers more upside. The wild card in all of this is Joshua Kelley (knee), who could return before the season ends. But for now, stash Spiller where available if you have an open roster spot in deeper leagues.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Remains primary backup
Rotowire
Spiller tallied four carries for 11 yards and also caught both of his targets for an additional 11 yards in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Chiefs.
Sunday marked the biggest disparity in the platoon backup RB position as Spiller out-snapped Sony Michel 16-5, easily outgaining the veteran for the third straight game. The rookie hasn't done a whole lot with the extra opportunities, but it's likely he'll still be a factor when Joshua Kelley (knee) eventually returns off injured reserve.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Does almost nothing in loss
Rotowire
Spiller carried the ball four times for three yards in Sunday's 22-16 loss to the 49ers.
Spiller once again out-snapped veteran Sony Michel, but neither back was able to do much in their limited opportunities. Nominal No. 2 back Joshua Kelley (knee) is expected to return in the coming weeks, which could relegate Spiller further down the depth chart. The rookie has a combined 12 carries for 27 yards over the last three games in Kelley's absence.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Stashes (RB Preview)
Rotowire
Spiller was the No. 2 back behind Ekeler in Week 9. If he's the handcuff to Ekeler now, he needs to be rostered in close to half of leagues, if not more.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Week 10 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Spiller just had a season-high seven carries for 29 yards in Week 9 at Atlanta coming off the Chargers bye week, and maybe he's the new No. 2 running back for the Chargers behind Austin Ekeler. If he's the handcuff for Ekeler then that gives him lottery-ticket upside, and he's worth stashing for 1 percent of your remaining FAB. If you were holding Sony Michel on your bench then drop him for Spiller.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Does nothing in first game
Rotowire
Spiller lost five yards in his only carry of Sunday's 37-23 blowout loss to the Seahawks.
The rookie made his NFL debut Sunday with Joshua Kelley (knee) set to miss at least four games, but the Chargers fell behind by three scores in the first quarter, which limited any opportunities for the likes of Spiller or Sony Michel. The rookie does have draft pedigree relative to Michel and also profiles as a better receiving target out of the backfield, but given the 21-year-old's much-maligned preseason and subsequent multiple healthy scratches to begin the 2022 campaign, it's clear Spiller will need to earn his way into a more prominent role.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Inactive for Week 2
Rotowire
Spiller is inactive for Thursday night's game against Kansas City.
With Spiller the odd man out for now, the Chargers' Week 2 backfield is slated to be led by Austin Ekeler, with Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel on hand to handle complementary work versus the Chiefs.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Healthy scratch to start career
Rotowire
Spiller (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Raiders, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The rookie overcame a preseason ankle injury by returning to practice as a full participant this past week, but the Chargers will still have Spiller in street clothes for the season-opening divisional clash. Recent veteran addition Sony Michel will serve as the No. 3 running back behind the top backfield duo of Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley against Las Vegas.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Suffers ankle injury
Rotowire
Spiller suffered an ankle injury in Saturday's preseason game against the Cowboys and is questionable to return.
Spiller was the third back to earn a carry for the Chargers, behind both Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree. Spiller also was ineffective with the opportunity given, tallying only three rushes for three yards prior to his exit. It's unclear how long the issue may sideline him, but it appears as if he has plenty of work to do to make an impact in the offense.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Working with backups
Rotowire
Spiller has primarily worked with the second- and third-team offenses at training camp, but Daniel Popper of The Athletic notes that the rookie's "physicality is starting to pop" now that the Chargers have started padded practices.
The rookie fourth-round pick will need more than brute strength and determination to earn a role, but those traits certainly help when competing for part-time work behind a smaller, versatile back like Chargers starter Austin Ekeler. While previous draft picks Joshua Kelley (2020 fourth-round choice) and Larry Rountree (2021 sixth-round choice) failed to take advantage of similar opportunities the past two years, Spiller still has time to make an impression this summer. If he fails to do so, the Chargers could go with Rountree or Kelley off the bench or else could use an unpredictable rotation the way they did for much of last season.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Isaiah Spiller: Excellent landing spot with LA
Rotowire
The Chargers selected Spiller (groin) in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 123rd overall.
The Chargers didn't have many needs entering the 2022 NFL Draft, but the selection of Spiller shores up an obvious weak spot on the roster. The Texas A&M product was billed as a possible second-round selection after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, but after straining his adductor prior to the combine and subsequently running a 4.63 40-yard dash at his pro day, it became clear Spiller was not a high-round back that some projected. That being said, the junior plays much faster on tape, particularly once getting into the open field, and he's a plus receiver even for his size (6-foot, 217 pounds). Los Angeles desperately needed a second back to take some workload off Austin Ekeler, and it's entirely possible Spiller might already be a better backup than lackluster incumbents Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree. Kelley, Rountree and Justin Jackson combined for 137 carries and 28 targets last season as part of the jumbled timeshare behind Ekeler. Expect Spiller to immediately assume most of those opportunities with the possibility for additional workload should the Chargers make good on their promise to limit Ekeler's exposure somewhat in 2022.
