Chargers RB depth chart: How Ezekiel Elliott signing impacts J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards in Los Angeles’ backfield

The Chargers are bringing in some last-second reinforcements for the playoffs.

After Los Angeles claimed the No. 5 seed in the AFC bracket following Week 18, the team is signing veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Elliott is reportedly being signed to the Chargers’ practice squad, but “with the hope” that he can get up to speed quickly with the playoffs looming. Los Angeles, which is set to face Houston in the first round of the playoffs, already has a pair of veteran running backs in its backfield, but Elliott will add some depth to Jim Harbaugh’s squad.

Here’s an updated look at the Chargers’ running back depth chart following the Elliott signing. 

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Chargers RB depth chart

There’s little doubt that Dobbins, the former Raven, will be RB1 for Los Angeles entering the playoffs. In just 13 games played this season, Dobbins racked up 905 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, returning from an injury to play in the Chargers’ final two regular season matchups.

However, with the Elliott signing, things get more intriguing behind Dobbins. Edwards has had the Chargers’ RB2 role locked down, with 101 carries for 365 yards and four touchdowns this season. But Edwards is currently dealing with an ankle injury, as he didn’t practice at all ahead of Los Angeles’ Week 18 matchup vs. Las Vegas before being declared inactive.

The severity of Edwards’ injury is unknown, but if he’s going to miss more time in the playoffs, that could be a key reason for the Chargers signing Elliott. While Elliott has a lot of mileage from his nine NFL seasons between the Cowboys and Patriots, he could still serve as an effective short-yardage back in a limited role.

If Edwards can’t get healthy and Elliott can get up to speed, there seems to be a chance that Elliott could see some playoff carries. However, with Elliott only being signed to the team’s practice squad for the time being, Harbaugh may choose to turn toward his established running backs behind Dobbins, as well.

Haskins, a second-year back out of Michigan, has 89 rushing yards, 49 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns this season. Vidal, a rookie out of Troy, has 155 rushing yards, 62 receiving yards and one touchdown.

A lot will depend on Edwards’ health and Elliott’s ability to jump right into the Chargers’ offense, but Los Angeles certainly has a variety of options behind Dobbins as it approaches a playoff game against the Texans.

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Ezekiel Elliott’s 2024 stats

After one season with the Patriots, Elliott returned to the Cowboys in the offseason. With Rico Dowdle only standing in the way of Elliott getting carries for Dallas, it appeared that he would be involved in the team’s offense initially, but that didn’t wind up being the case.

As the season went on, Elliott was less involved with the Cowboys, who ultimately missed the playoffs. Dallas recently granted Elliott his release, giving him the freedom to join a playoff squad like the Chargers.

Here’s a look at Elliott’s numbers with Dallas this season: