The Los Angeles Chargers have made a strong push up the standings, moving into possible contention for the top overall seed in the AFC playoff picture.

Los Angeles is heading into a crucial matchup on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens that has plenty of postseason implications on the line. The Chargers are expected to be without the services of backup running back Austin Ekeler due to a concussion and a neck injury, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk,

The Chargers will be without running back Austin Ekeler for tomorrow’s big game against the Ravens.

After initially listing Ekeler as doubtful with a concussion and a neck injury, the Chargers announced today that Ekeler has been downgraded and will not play on Saturday.

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Ekeler missed last week's game against the Kansas City Chiefs after he suffered the said injuries during a 26-21 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He has been a key part of the puzzle offensively for the Chargers behind his ability as a dual-threat option that has seen him tally 496 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns, along with 39 receptions for 404 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

His absence from Saturday's contest shouldn't affect the Chargers by much as Pro Bowler Melvin Gordon is expected to make his return after being out of the lineup for the last few weeks. When healthy, Gordon has proven to be one of the league's top running backs as the driving force of the Chargers' offense.

Rookie Justin Jackson should be in line to pick up the backup duties in place of Ekeler. Jackson put together a strong outing against the Chiefs, where he had 58 rushing yards and a touchdown along with three receptions for 27 receiving yards.