The LA Chargers open the 2023 season against a familiar foe. The Bolts host another AFC playoff hopeful in the Miami Dolphins, whom the team defeated in comfortable fashion last season.
This matchup is much different from last season, too. The Chargers were devastated by injuries in 2022 and this time around the team has an almost perfect bill of health. Meanwhile, the Dolphins are dealing with big injuries of their own, as left tackle Terron Armstead has been declared out.
With Daiyan Henley and Chris Rumph being the only injured Chargers, several players had to hit the inactive list as healthy scratches. One of those players was a legitimate surprise, as 2022 fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller will not be suiting up in Week 1.
#Chargers inactives for today vs. Miami:
— Jeff Miller (@JeffMillerLAT) September 10, 2023
LB Daiyan Henley (hamstring)
Edge Chris Rumph II (hamstring)
RB Isaiah Spiller
DL Christopher Hinton
OL Brenden Jaimes
S AJ Finley
Chargers inactives: Bolts shock fans with Isaiah Spiller decision
It appeared during training camp and in the preseason that Spiller was going to have a much bigger role for the Chargers in his sophomore season. At the very least, it appeared that Spiller was going to be the running back 2B right alongside Joshua Kelley.
However, that is obviously not the case in Week 1 as the Chargers are instead opting to go with undrafted free agent rookie Elijah Dotson. As great as Dotson was during the preseason, not many fans expected him to get the nod over a healthy Spiller.
This decision is likely tied to special teams. Dotson is the backup returner behind Derius Davis and offers more special teams value than Spiller. The Chargers likely don't have much room for the RB3 in the playbook, which prompted the team to go in this direction.
All that being said, it is still not a good look for Spiller. Spiller was extremely hyped by the fanbase when he was drafted in 2022 and the fact that he cannot even add more special teams value than an undrafted free agent is a bad look.
That is two backs (Spiller and Zander Horvath) who were drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft that are not going to be playing in Week 1. Horvath was waived by the Chargers and was not even re-signed on the practice squad as he instead signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.