Coach Jim Harbaugh said Thursday that Edwards (undisclosed) worked to the side with trainers during mandatory minicamp and that there's a "high possibility" he will be 100 percent healthy for the start of training camp, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports. Edwards' injury details remain undisclosed, and while it doesn't currently appear that the Chargers are seriously worried about his status, fantasy managers would certainly prefer for the 29-year-old not to be nicked up at this stage of the offseason. Harbaugh also revealed that Edwards wasn't present for voluntary OTAs. Following the departure of Austin Ekeler, Edwards appears to have a clear path to the No. 1 backfield gig to begin the 2024 season, health permitting. J.K. Dobbins, rookie sixth-rounder Kimani Vidal, and 2022 fourth-rounder Isaiah Spiller are all also options to compete for work. If Edwards ends up missing significant time this offseason, leaving first-team reps up for grabs, that could pave the way to a true backfield committee forming.
Unlock the latest Los Angeles Chargers news — direct to your inbox.
Status
QUESTIONABLE - Undisclosed - Not Specified Expected Return: 2024-08-10Latest Gus Edwards news
Career History
It's the offseason! 😎
Check back next season for fresh
AI-powered projections.
Can't wait for more data?
Join dfsPro Daily for free
AI-powered Fantasy Picks
Year-Round.
Coach Jim Harbaugh said Thursday that Edwards (undisclosed) worked to the side with trainers during mandatory minicamp and that there's a "high possibility" he will be 100 percent healthy for the start of training camp, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports. Edwards' injury details remain undisclosed, and while it doesn't currently appear that the Chargers are seriously worried about his status, fantasy managers would certainly prefer for the 29-year-old not to be nicked up at this stage of the offseason. Harbaugh also revealed that Edwards wasn't present for voluntary OTAs. Following the departure of Austin Ekeler, Edwards appears to have a clear path to the No. 1 backfield gig to begin the 2024 season, health permitting. J.K. Dobbins, rookie sixth-rounder Kimani Vidal, and 2022 fourth-rounder Isaiah Spiller are all also options to compete for work. If Edwards ends up missing significant time this offseason, leaving first-team reps up for grabs, that could pave the way to a true backfield committee forming.
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.
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.
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.
Though Keaton Mitchell has proven to be the more explosive player, Edwards remained the lead back in Baltimore and out-touched Mitchell by a 12-4 margin. Edwards was largely unremarkable with the opportunity, though he did manage to fall into the end zone from one yard away early in the fourth quarter. He now has at least one touchdown in four consecutive games, and though his grip on the lead-back role may be tenuous, Edwards will likely remain the short-yardage option at a minimum.
Edwards missed Wednesday's session, but his return to the field a day later bodes well for his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Seahawks. The Ravens' second injury report will be released later Thursday and will reveal whether Edwards was a full or limited participant.
Edwards had just one touchdown through six games, but he found the end zone last week while posting a season-high 144 scrimmage yards before this three-touchdown performance. He powered in a one-yard touchdown in the final minute of the first half, then scored from seven yards out in the third quarter and added another one-yard touchdown in the fourth. Edwards also set season highs in carries and rushing yards while tying his season high in catches for good measure. He's the clear lead back in Baltimore heading into a Week 9 home game against the Seahawks.