The Los Angeles Chargers placed running back Austin Ekeler on injured reserve, the team announced Friday.
While the move officially will sideline Ekeler for at least the next three weeks due to a hamstring injury, multiple media outlets reported that the running back is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Joshua Kelley, who has a team-high 52 carries this season for 174 yards, will see an increase in workload on Monday when the Chargers (1-3) visit the New Orleans Saints (2-2).
Los Angeles promoted wide receiver Tyron Johnson to their active roster on Friday and signed running back Kalen Ballage to the practice squad.
Ekeler, 25, got hurt in the Chargers’ 38-31 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Ekeler signed a four-year, $24.5 million extension with Los Angeles in the offseason. He leads the team with 248 rushing yards, and his 17 catches for 144 yards rank third.
Ekeler burst onto the scene last season with 1,550 yards from scrimmage (including 993 receiving yards on 92 catches) and 11 touchdowns. He has 23 career touchdowns — nine on the ground and 14 receiving.
At Chargers practice on Friday, two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Joey Bosa was a limited participant after being sidelined on Thursday. Bosa, who posted sacks in each of his first three games this season, is nursing triceps and knee ailments.
Wide receiver Mike Williams (hamstring) also returned to practice in a limited manner Friday. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor (ribs/chest) was limited a day after Chargers coach Anthony Lynn declared that rookie Justin Herbert would remain the team’s starter, even after Taylor is healthy enough to return.
Offensive linemen Bryan Bulaga (back) and Trai Turner (groin) did not practice Friday.
