Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler made a leaping touchdown run against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter of the Week 2 matchup in the Motor City.
Ekeler, essentially subbing in for Pro-Bowl running back Melvin Gordon during his contract negotiations holdout, scored his fourth touchdown on the season with that leap into the end zone after notching three TD's in the Chargers' season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts in overtime.
The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent Ekeler rushed for 58 yards and one touchdown last week for the Chargers along with tallying six receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns from veteran quarterback Philip Rivers.
The impressive stats Ekeler is putting up might only hurt the 26-year-old, two-time Pro-Bowl rusher Gordon, who could be away from the L.A. franchise until October, if reports are accurate. At the moment, Ekeler and 2018 seventh-round pick-up Justin Jackson are forming the backfield tandem for Rivers and the Chargers offense with Gordon away from the team. Last week, Jackson rushed for 57 yards, including a 24-yard rush against the Colts.
The unheralded duo of Jackson and Ekeler—a late-round selection and an undrafted player—are the basis of L.A.'s running game while 37-year-old Rivers still slings the ball from the pocket. The Chargers have large aspirations for the 2019 season, with or without Gordon.
Ekeler previously rushed for 872 yards across two seasons for the Chargers, scoring six touchdowns. So far in his third year in the NFL, Ekeler is almost already at that threshold.