Ekeler is KO’d by hamstring

The Chargers lost another key piece Sunday when running back Austin Ekeler left in the f irst quarter with what the team said is a hamstring injury. He will be reevaluated Monday, but the expectations are not positive for the Chargers’ most dynamic offensive player.

“The way that young man limped off the f ield, I’m not sure how bad it is,” coach Anthony Lynn said. “But it looked pretty bad.”

With Ekeler likely gone for a while, the Chargers will have to rely on rookie Josh Kelley and third- year pro Justin Jackson, who has struggled to stay healthy.

Ekeler had 12 yards in two carries before leaving the game. Without him, the Chargers had no running attack. They f inished with 46 yards in 23 carries.

The Chargers have lost to injury 11 players who were projected to start when training camp opened.

Bad turn

Quarterback Justin Herbert has thrown one interception in each of his three starts. Kelley has lost fumbles in consecutive games. Lynn dismissed the suggestion that because the miscues have involved younger players they are more acceptable.

“Not really because that’s an excuse,” he said. “These kids have been playing football all their lives, and you don’t turn the damn ball over. It’s that simple.”

Fast work

Rookie f ifth- round pick Joe Reed was inactive for the game, Lynn explaining that the Chargers preferred the speed of wide receivers Tyron Johnson and Jalen Guyton, who were both undrafted last year. The move paid off as Johnson and Guyton ran behind the Tampa Bay defense for long touchdown receptions.

“Those young guys, they’re on the come,” Lynn said. “They’re big. They can run. Exactly what we need.”