The LA Chargers host the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7 looking to move 5-2 on the season heading into the bye week. After a 1-2 start that included back-to-back losses and a litany of injuries, winning four games in a row before hitting a soft reset in the bye week would be massive for the Bolts.
If the team is going to accomplish that in Week 7 they are going to have to overcome a potentially depleted offense. Joshua Palmer and Donald Parham will be out of action with concussions while Joshua Kelley will be out for several weeks with a knee injury.
There is a chance that Keenan Allen returns to action as he was listed as a game-time decision. Allen is recovering from a hamstring injury and has said that he would feel more comfortable waiting until after the bye, but if he is good to go then he is going to play.
All of these injuries have created opportunities for other players as Chargers fans will finally get to see a long-awaited debut in Week 7 against Seattle. Rookie fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller has finally made the active roster, and will get snaps as the team's RB3 in the game.
Isaiah Spiller will be listed as active on Sunday over Larry Roundtree per Brandon Staley.
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) October 21, 2022
The Chargers need a great first showing out of rookie Isaiah Spiller.
While Isaiah Spiller will be getting snaps as the RB3 in this game, it would be huge for the team if he can make an early impression and start moving his way up the depth chart. Sony Michel, who lost the RB2 role to Kelley, is the de facto RB2 in this game and fans should be weary of his performance.
Michel has not been good this season in the run or pass game and has lacked the explosiveness that the Chargers need out of the backfield. If the team has to rely heavily on him while Austin Ekeler gets his usual pitch count then the offense may have some stagnant drives.
However, if Spiller can come out and be an explosive spark out of the bench then we could see the team relying on him in his first game, especially with the injuries to the receiving corps. What makes Spiller so intriguing is his ability as a pass-catcher. With the defense focused on stopping Mike Williams and a mediocre receiver room (if Allen does not play), we could see Spiller get plenty of looks.
Spiller's Week 7 performance won't be indicative of his entire career. If he has a bad game or doesn't get many snaps that doesn't automatically mean he is a bust and if he has a good game that doesn't automatically mean he should be RB2 over Kelley when he returns.
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But it is nice to see the fourth-round pick that the Chargers took earlier than they needed to finally getting action over a third of the way through the season. Hopefully, he makes the most of it.