Austin Ekeler breaks free for the longest-career touchdown

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers Austin Ekeler got off to a fiery start in his team’s Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

broke away for 72 yards 💨@AustinEkeler | @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/qqeqlBb3IK

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 1, 2023

With 8:25 left in the second quarter, Ekeler took a handoff from quarterback Justin Herbert, jammed through a hole on the right side of the offensive line, dodged a tackle by cornerback Troy Hill, then defeated safety Taylor Rapp and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd in a foot race as he went 72 yards for a touchdown — the longest Bolts’ rushing score since Melvin Gordon broke off an 87-yard rushing touchdown in 2017. It was also the longest run of the RB’s six-year career.

this is what he does. @AustinEkeler | @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/iG5ahwiU8f

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 1, 2023

Ekeler scored both of the Bolts’ first two touchdowns, as they took a 14-3 lead in the second quarter. After scoring two touchdowns in a Week 16 win followed by his two against the Rams, Ekeler becomes the first Chargers player to record back-to-back games with multiple rushing touchdowns since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2008.