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          Chargers RB Austin Ekeler breaks free for longest career TD

          • Lindsey Thiry, ESPNJan 1, 2023, 10:28 PM
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              Lindsey Thiry is a national NFL reporter for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2018 to cover the Los Angeles Rams after two years of covering them for the Los Angeles Times, and has also covered the Chargers for ESPN. She previously covered the Atlanta Falcons. You can follow her on Twitter/X @LindseyThiry.

          INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler got off to fiery start in his team's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

          With 8 minutes, 25 seconds 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 III broke off an 87-yard rushing TD in 2017. It was also the longest run of the RB's six-year career.

          Ekeler scored both of the Chargers' first two touchdowns as they took a 14-3 in the second quarter. After scoring two TDs 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.