Chargers RB Austin Ekeler misses practice with hip injury

The Los Angeles Chargers fell to 4-2 on the season via what many considered to be a shocking 34-6 loss at the Baltimore Ravens back on Oct. 17 and had some extra time to recover from that humbling result during their bye. 

Surprisingly, the Chargers delivered some bad news to fans Thursday ahead of this Sunday's home game against the 3-4 New England Patriots. 

As noted by the NFL's website, Chargers star running back Austin Ekeler did not practice Thursday because of a hip injury. What's particularly curious about this potential setback is that Ekeler was not on the team's official injury report released Wednesday. 

Per ESPN stats, Ekeler leads the Chargers with 356 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 73 carries this season, and he's the team's only ball-carrier to hit a triple-digit mark for rushing yards. He's also third on the roster with 27 receptions and 242 receiving yards, and he's second with three touchdown catches. 

According to Gavino Borquez of Chargers Wire, Ekeler recently challenged other members of the Los Angeles backfield "to step up." Currently, rookie Larry Rountree III trails Ekeler among Chargers running backs with a paltry 60 yards on 24 carries.