Chargers' Ekeler making history in passing game

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler making history in passing game

By Cory Woodroof | Last updated 12/12/22

The Los Angeles Chargers love throwing the ball to running back Austin Ekeler.

Right now, they're getting him targets at a historic rate.

Austin Ekeler is now up to 93 catches this season.

That’s the most catches by any RB through 13 games in any season in NFL history.

He’s on pace for 122, which would break Christian McCaffrey’s record of 116 (in 16 games) for most catches ever by a RB in a season pic.twitter.com/BJMyT0uRBA
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 12, 2022

Ekeler has 623 yards and five touchdowns in the air on those 93 catches to pair with his 153 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.

He's given the Chargers the offensive boost they've needed with top wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both missing time this year with injuries.

Ekeler has also helped quarterback Justin Herbert have a steady target in the passing game as he continues to grow into one of the better signal callers in the NFL.

Only 27, he's more than lived up to the four-year, $24.5M extension that he signed with the team in 2020. He'll be a free agent in 2024.

With the Chargers riding high off a big win over the Miami Dolphins, they'll need for Ekeler to keep pushing for history as they try to lock down a playoff spot in the AFC.

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