Edwards rushed 18 times for 59 yards in the Chargers' 26-3 win over the Panthers on Sunday.
Edwards actually outpaced backfield mate J.K. Dobbins by one carry but was markedly less efficient than his teammate. Nevertheless, the Chargers' ability to control both of their first two games and head coach Jim Harbaugh's penchant for the ground attack have combined to afford both backs a solid amount of opportunity to open the season. Dobbins is undoubtedly the more dynamic of the two, however, so Edwards may fall into more of a true complementary role if the game script is different in a Week 3 visit to the Steelers.
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Chargers' Gus Edwards: Used often in win
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Edwards carried the ball 11 times for 26 yards in Sunday's 22-10 win over the Raiders. He also caught his lone target for two yards.
Edwards led the team in carries Sunday, but it was J.K. Dobbins who stole the show by logging carries of 46 and 61 yards en route to a 135-yard day on just 10 touches. The transplanted Baltimore duo figures to split the work evenly in the majority of games, but it'll be interesting to see if Edwards continues to have the leg up on goal-line opportunities. Dobbins scored the lone rushing touchdown Sunday, but it came on a 12-yard run clearly designed to attack the outside of the defense. Perhaps more crucially for fantasy managers, the explosive back also was the designated receiving back, recording three receptions to Edwards' one.
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Chargers' Gus Edwards: RBs to Sit
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I'm curious to see how the Chargers use Edwards and J.K. Dobbins this week, and this could be a tough matchup for this backfield, even at home. The Raiders' addition of Christian Wilkins should dramatically improve their run defense, which was No. 9 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs last season. We know Edwards will likely need a touchdown to be a viable Fantasy option in most leagues, so if he doesn't score then you'll likely be disappointed if you consider him even a flex in Week 1.
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Chargers' Gus Edwards: Co-starter with Dobbins
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Edwards is listed as a co-starter with J.K. Dobbins on the Chargers' unofficial Week 1 depth chart heading into Sunday's game against the Raiders.
Edwards and Dobbins are both familiar with the rushing scheme of Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, as both running backs previously played under Roman in Baltimore. Dobbins is faster and has better hands, but Edwards should get a steady diet of inside runs and valuable goal-line work after racking up 13 rushing touchdowns with the Ravens in 2023. Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins are listed as the backups at running back.
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Chargers' Gus Edwards: Not suiting up
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Edwards and J.K. Dobbins aren't in uniform for pregame warmups ahead of Saturday's preseason game against the Rams, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Other veterans not in uniform include QB Justin Herbert (foot), TE Hayden Hurst, S Derwin James and OLB Joey Bosa. The Chargers may or may not play some starters but seem to be resting their most experienced players. Jaret Patterson, Kimani Vidal, Isaiah Spiller and Elijah Dotson are the backfield options Saturday night.
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Chargers' Gus Edwards: Not slated to face Seahawks
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Edwards is not in line to play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Seahawks, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Also not on track to see action Saturday, per Popper, is J.K. Dobbins, who is listed along with Edwards as a co-starter on the Chargers' unofficial depth chart. With the top duo not slated to log snaps, Kimani Vidal, Isaiah Spiller, Jaret Patterson and Elijah Dotson are available to handle backfield work versus Seattle.
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Chargers' Gus Edwards: Shares first-team reps
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Edward took part in 11-on-11 drills for the first time in training camp Tuesday, splitting reps evenly with J.K. Dobbins, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Dobbins previously got most of the first-team reps while Edwards was eased into camp after undergoing an undisclosed procedure this offseason. Both backs picked up five snaps with the starting offense in full-team drills Tuesday, potentially setting the stage for a timeshare come Week 1. Rookie sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal still has time to make an impression but has been working with the backups so far.
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Chargers' Gus Edwards: Being eased back in
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Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that Edwards (undisclosed) went through individual drills during Wednesday's practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Harbaugh added that Edwards underwent an unspecified offseason procedure, and as a result, the Chargers plan to give the running back a "longer runway" in terms of being a full participant in practice. As the coming season approaches, Daniel Popper of The Athletic has suggested that Edwards, when available, profiles as the team's lead back, with J.K. Dobbins, Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller in the mix for complementary touches. Given that Edwards hasn't been involved as a pass catcher during his career, he'll make most of his fantasy impact in early-down and goal-line situations, a context that could lead to PPR utility for whomever emerges as the team's top change-of-pace option.
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Chargers' Gus Edwards: Taking part in practice
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Edwards (undisclosed) was on the field Wednesday in the first day of training camp, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Edwards was seen going through drills in full pads Wednesday after having been limited to working out on the side during June minicamp. The veteran bruiser appears to be over whatever injury was pestering him during spring. He'll reunite in Los Angeles with offensive coordinator Greg Roman in what is expected to be a run-heavy offensive scheme under new Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. Edwards appears to be the favorite to serve as the Chargers' starting running back Week 1, and he should be in line to handle the majority of goal-line work. Former Ravens teammate J.K. Dobbins (Achilles), Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller could all be in the mix for change-of-pace work, as Edwards has never been much of a factor on third downs or obvious passing situations.
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Chargers' Gus Edwards: Projected lead back
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Following the recent NFL Draft, Edwards profiles as the Chargers' lead back as the 2024 season approaches, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
In the wake of the offseason departure of prior lead back Austin Ekeler, the Chargers backfield has undergone an overhaul, with Edwards and J.K. Dobbins -- both former Ravens -- arriving via free agency and Kimani Vidal through this year's draft, joining returnee Isaiah Spiller, a 2022 fourth-rounder. In that context, Popper suggests that Edwards, who GM Joe Hortiz described as a "bell cow" back in March, is in line to get the bulk of the team's work out of the gate this season as Dobbins bounces back from his Achilles' injury and Vidal and Spiller make their cases to carve out complementary roles in the Los Angeles offense.
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Chargers' Gus Edwards: Headed west to L.A.
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Edwards has agreed to a two-year deal with the Chargers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The pending deal is set to reunite Edwards with former Ravens and current Chargers assistant Greg Roman. In 17 regular-season games with Baltimore in 2023, Edwards carried 198 times for 810 yards and 13 TDs to go along with 12 catches for 180 yards. With Los Angeles, the Rutgers product -- who turns 29 next month -- seems destined to carve out a significant early-down role, though the composition of the Chargers backfield at this stage is TBD, given that Austin Ekeler is slated to become an unrestricted free agent.
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Ravens' Gus Edwards: Discussing deal with Ravens
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GM Eric DeCosta said Tuesday that the Ravens and Edwards are already discussing a new contract, Clifton Brown and Ryan Mink of the team's official website report.
Edwards can become a free agent but might end up re-signing before that happens. If so, it wouldn't necessarily prevent the Ravens from signing one of the big-name RBs available in free agency, though it would at least marginally decrease the odds of that happening. The team also has Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell (torn ACL) under contract for 2024, though the former mostly played special teams before last season and the latter might not be ready for Week 1. DeCosta also suggested that he'd still have interest in re-signing J.K. Dobbins, who is rehabbing an Achilles' tear after playing only nine games combined the past three seasons.
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Ravens' Gus Edwards: Role slips in postseason
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Edwards rushed the ball 10 times for 40 yards in Saturday's 34-10 win over the Texans. He added one reception on two targets for minus-1 yard.
Edwards was out-touched and gained by Justice Hill in the blowout win. He still maintained his role near the goal line, though he was stuffed on an attempt from the two-yard line early in the second quarter, only to have Lamar Jackson throw for a score one play later. Much like the regular season, Edwards' fantasy value will come down to his ability to find the end zone, particularly as it now appears that Hill has an upper hand for work outside the red zone.
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Ravens' Gus Edwards: Poor fantasy output Saturday
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Edwards rushed 10 times for 48 yards with a lost fumble and was not targeted as a receiver in Sunday's 17-10 loss to Pittsburgh.
Edwards performed well on a per-carry basis, but his fantasy line suffered from a lack of touchdowns coupled with a fumble in the fourth quarter of Saturday's loss. Backup Melvin Gordon also coughed up the rock earlier in the contest, giving both teams two turnovers on eight combined loose balls in slick conditions at M&T Bank Stadium. Edwards' 10 carries finished ahead of the aforementioned Gordon (seven) and Justice Hill (zero), putting the veteran Edwards on track to lead the Ravens' backfield committee in the AFC divisional round.
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Ravens' Gus Edwards: Solid numbers in Week 17 win
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Edwards rushed 16 times for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens' 56-19 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
Edwards led the Ravens in rushing yards, and although he wasn't involved at all in the passing game, he made up for it with his 13th touchdown of the campaign on a one-yard run just after the halfway point of the second quarter. Justice Hill provided the explosive plays for Baltimore's ground game Sunday, but Edwards played his usual role of early-down grinder with aplomb. Both players could be rested altogether in Week 18 against the Steelers, however, considering the Ravens clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC with Sunday's rout.
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Ravens' Gus Edwards: Keeps finding end zone
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Edwards rushed the ball nine times for 31 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 33-19 win over the 49ers. He also recorded one reception (on one target) for 39 yards.
Edwards took a back seat to Justice Hill in overall opportunities in the absence of Keaton Mitchell (knee), but he still managed one of his more productive games from a yardage perspective. He delivered in his typical goal-line role by plunging into the end zone from one yard away early in the second quarter. Uncharacteristically, Edwards also delivered as a pass catcher on a 39-yard catch-and-run just after halftime, though he was denied the end zone from five yards away one play later. It appears that Edwards has moved into a timeshare in the backfield with Hill, though he's almost certain to hold on to goal-line opportunities, maintaining his fantasy appeal.
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Ravens' Gus Edwards: Sleeper RBs
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We'll see if the 49ers get Arik Armstead (ankle) and Javon Hargrave (hamstring) back for Week 16 against the Ravens, but both were missed in Week 15 against Arizona. James Conner, Emari Demercado and Michael Carter combined for 21 carries for 177 yards and two touchdowns against San Francisco, and the Ravens could look to lean on Edwards in this matchup on the road. He'll be the main running back with Keaton Mitchell (ACL) out for the season, and Edwards has scored a touchdown in six of his past eight games, with 10 touchdowns over that span. I don't mind Edwards as a flex option in Week 16, especially if Armstead and Hargrave remain out for the 49ers.
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Ravens' Gus Edwards: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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We'll see if the 49ers get Arik Armstead (ankle) and Javon Hargrave (hamstring) back for Week 16 against the Ravens, but both were missed in Week 15 against Arizona. James Conner, Emari Demercado and Michael Carter combined for 21 carries for 177 yards and two touchdowns against San Francisco, and the Ravens could look to lean on Edwards in this matchup on the road. He'll be the main running back with Keaton Mitchell (ACL) out for the season, and Edwards has scored a touchdown in six of his past eight games, with 10 touchdowns over that span. I don't mind Edwards as a flex option in Week 16, especially if Armstead and Hargrave remain out for the 49ers.
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Ravens' Gus Edwards: Gets 11th TD as Mitchell goes down
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Edwards rushed 16 times for 58 yards and a touchdown while catching his only target for 11 yards in Sunday's 23-7 win over the Jaguars.
Edwards came just short of scoring his 11th touchdown of the season on a second-quarter carry by the goal line. He was brought down just outside the end zone, and a post-play personal foul moved Baltimore's offensive back 15 yards, setting the stage for a 16-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to Isaiah Likely on the next play. Edwards made no mistake with his next goal-line opportunity in the fourth quarter, powering in a one-yard touchdown run to extend Baltimore's lead to 17-7. After scoring nine touchdowns in a five-game span, Edwards rushed just 14 times for 41 yards without a touchdown over the next two games, but he bounced back while handling his heaviest workload since Week 8. Edwards could continue to see elevated usage against the 49ers in Week 16, as fellow running back Keaton Mitchell (knee) exited in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win with what looked like a serious injury.
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Ravens' Gus Edwards: Held to 15 yards
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Edwards rushed the ball six times for 15 yards in Sunday's 37-31 win over the Rams.
Edwards continued to see his role slip relative to Keaton Mitchell, as his six carries were his lowest mark since Week 9 and his 15 yards were his fewest from scrimmage this season. Edwards will likely maintain the goal-line role, though Lamar Jackson threw for three long touchdowns in Sunday's victory, so touches near the goal line were very limited. Given the emergence of Mitchell, it will be difficult to trust Edwards down the stretch of the campaign.
