Chargers vs. Saints NFL Week 5 Vegas spread, betting odds: Austin Ekeler expected to miss several weeks

It was a rough Sunday in Week 4 for the Los Angeles Chargers as they blew a 17-point lead and lost at the Tampa Bay Bucs, 38-31, and have reportedly lost arguably the second-best pass-catching running back in the NFL (behind Christian McCaffrey), Austin Ekeler, for multiple weeks due to a serious hamstring injury. The 1-3 Bolts opened as 7.5-point underdogs for the Week 5 Monday night game in New Orleans (2-2).

Ekeler, who was to have an MRI on Monday, had to be carted off the field at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday in the first quarter and was seen with crutches and a knee brace later on in the game. The team is expected to put him on injured reserve, which would mean Ekeler couldn't play again until Week 8 vs. Jacksonville – however, early reports are not very promising and that Ekeler likely will be out longer than that.

He has rushed 49 times for 248 yards and a score this season while catching 17 passes for 144 yards. Last year, Ekeler was a Fantasy football superstar, catching 92 balls for 993 yards and eight scores while rushing for 557 yards and three TDs. This past offseason, Ekeler signed a four-year, $24.5 million extension. Not bad for an undrafted free agent out of something called Western Colorado, a Division II school.

Of course, the 2019 Chargers had a former Pro Bowl running back on the roster in Melvin Gordon, but he's now with Denver. Thus, it likely will be a committee to replace Ekeler of rookie fourth-round pick Joshua Kelley (who should be the primary guy) and Justin Jackson. Kelley, who has had some fumble problems in the early going, had just seven yards on nine carries vs. Tampa Bay, while Jackson had nine yards on six carries. Neither is near the receiver Ekeler is.

From SportsLine Fantasy expert Jacob Gibbs: "Here's how the usage broke down between Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson after Austin Ekeler's injury: Snap rate: (57%) Kelley, 40% Jackson; Touches: (12) Kelley, (8) Jackson. Kelley did lose a costly fumble near the opposing end zone, but he still out-snapped and out-touched Jackson from that point on. It appears that Kelley will get the first crack at the starting job, but you should expect this to be some sort of committee."

The Bolts were without No. 2 wideout Mike Williams vs. Tampa due to a hamstring injury. It's not clear if he will be ready for Week 5. Presumably, rookie QB Justin Herbert will start again even if Week 1 starter Tyrod Taylor is ready from a punctured lung. Herbert was terrific against the Bucs, completing 20 of 25 for three TDs and a pick, just missing a third straight 300-yard game.

Herbert has 931 passing yards overall, the second-most by a rookie quarterback in his first three career starts in NFL history. Only Cam Newton in 2011 with the Panthers had more.

Coach Anthony Lynn had previously said the starting job was Taylor's when healthy, but it's hard to believe Lynn would really bench Herbert at this point. Lynn himself might not be around much longer with his team continuing to lose close games.

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