Gus Edwards' injury in Week 6 may lead to offensive spark the Chargers need

LA Chargers running back Gus Edwards has struggled in the team's first four games this season. On 38 rushing attempts, he's picked up just 113 yards. That comes out to 3.0 yards per carry, by far the lowest figure of his career by over a yard. Edwards is also at a 42.9% rush success rate and 2.21 yards after contact per carry for the season — both career lows.

The former Ravens' running back missed significant time in training camp and the earlier stages of the offseason. At first, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh claimed that Edwards was recovering from offseason surgery. Then, Harbaugh walked that statement back in another press conference later in the week.

Now, Edwards is dealing with an ankle injury. He has now missed practice on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week. If Edwards were to miss Friday's practice, Sunday's game against the Broncos would likely mark his first absence of the season.

Gus Edwards missing Week 6 may actually be a blessing for Chargers

Rookie running back Kimani Vidal has not been active for a game yet this season. J.K. Dobbins and the aforementioned Edwards have been the two two running backs in terms of offensive usage. Hassan Haskins is the third running back on gamedays but is primarily only active for special teams contributions.

Assuming Edwards does not play, Vidal would be in line to join the active gameday roster for the first time this season. The question is how expansive his role would be. Would Troy's all-time leader in rushing yards be RB2 to Dobbins? Or is it possible that Haskins gets the bulk of the RB2 work while Vidal plays special teams?

Vidal showed us a sample of what he could produce in the team's second preseason game vs. the Rams. In a statement game that ultimately kept his spot on the roster, Vidal averaged 4.5 yards per carry on 11 carries with several key first downs. He also forced three missed tackles.

Dobbins should be expected to remain the Chargers' primary bell cow running back for the foreseeable future. But what he really needs in the backfield with him is a second back who can take some of the load off.

Edwards just hasn't been able to do that efficiently this season, and the coaching staff has noticed. Prior to this placement on the injury report this week, Edwards' usage dipped from 29 carries in the teams' first two weeks to just nine carries in their last two games.

Vidal giving the team a spark as their RB2 is something that could change the Chargers' rushing efficiency this season. If Edwards does miss Sunday's game, Greg Roman should give the teams' sixth-round draft pick some rushing volume to see what he can bring to the table.