Gus Edwards has had a busy few years, and many fans want to know what’s going on with him now. This blog breaks everything down in a clear, easy way.

We will also cover whether he’s hurt, why the Chargers let him go, and how his 2024 ankle injury changed his season.

It also looks back at his full injury history, his best career moments, and how those setbacks shaped his path in the NFL.

There’s also a look at his performance before each injury, what happened during his bounce-back year, and what his future might look like now that he’s a free agent.

By the end, there will be a full picture of where Gus Edwards stands today.

What’s Happening with Gus Edwards Right Now?

Is Gus Edwards hurt? Good news for fans, Edwards is currently healthy and no longer with the Chargers.

After being released by the Los Angeles in March 2025, he became a free agent. This means he’s now looking for a new team to play for next season.

The most recent injury Edwards dealt with was a high ankle sprain during the 2024 season. Here’s what happened:

Detail	Information
When it happened	Week 4, 2024 (against Kansas City Chiefs)
What caused it	Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones fell on his ankle
Type of injury	High left ankle sprain
Games missed	Six games total (including playoffs)
Recovery status	Fully recovered before release

Edwards missed the Chargers’ final two regular-season games but was cleared for the wild-card playoff game in January 2025. Before his release, he practiced fully and showed no signs of the injury bothering him anymore.

Why Did the Chargers Let Him Go?

The team decided to move on from Edwards after a tough 2024 season. He averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per carry and made little impact as a pass-catcher.

Plus, his teammate J.K. Dobbins played much better and took over most of the running back work.

The 2024 Ankle Injury: A Closer Look

Edwards’ 2024 ankle injury became a major problem, affecting most of his season with the Chargers. Let’s break down exactly what happened.

Timeline of the Injury

Early Season (Weeks 1-4)

• Edwards started the season as a backup to J.K. Dobbins
• Through four games, he rushed 38 times for 113 yards
• He hadn’t scored any touchdowns yet

Week 4: The injury occurred during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs; defensive tackle Chris Jones fell on Edwards’ ankle, causing a high left ankle sprain. This type of injury affects the ligaments in the upper part of the ankle and usually takes several weeks to heal completely.

Weeks 5-9: The Chargers placed Edwards on injured reserve, which meant he had to miss at least four games. This gave the team a chance to sign other running backs to help fill in. During this time, the Chargers even brought in veteran Ezekiel Elliott for extra insurance.

Week 10: Edwards said he was 100% healthy and felt better than before the injury when he returned to practice. He played in the Week 10 game against Tennessee and looked strong after his long break.

Weeks 11-16: Edwards actually had one of his best games in Week 16 against Denver. He carried the ball 14 times for 68 yards and scored two touchdowns. This showed he was getting back to his old self.

Weeks 17-18: Unfortunately, Edwards aggravated the ankle injury again late in the season. He missed the final two regular-season games while the team got ready for the playoffs.

Playoffs: Edwards was cleared for Saturday’s wild-card game without any injury designation. He practiced fully on Thursday after being limited earlier in the week, showing the medical staff he was ready to play.

How It Affected the Team

When Edwards got hurt, the Chargers had to make quick changes to their running back lineup:

• J.K. Dobbins took on way more work. He went from sharing carries to being the main guy, sometimes carrying the ball 25 times in a single game.
• Kimani Vidal, a rookie sixth-round pick, got more playing time. He rushed 18 times for 44 yards while filling in.
• Ezekiel Elliott joined the team for depth. The Chargers signed him to their practice squad just in case both Dobbins and Edwards couldn’t play.

The injury effectively ended Edwards’ chances of playing a big role with the Chargers. Even when healthy, Dobbins had taken over and was playing too well to lose carries.

Complete Injury History: Every Major Setback

Throughout his career, Edwards has dealt with several injuries that have shaped his journey in the NFL. Here’s everything you need to know about his injury history.

The Big One: 2021 ACL Tear

This was the most serious injury of Edwards’ career and one he’ll never forget.

What Happened: Cornerback Marcus Peters and running back Gus Edwards both suffered season-ending torn ACLs at Thursday’s practice in September 2021. The injuries occurred on back-to-back plays, and the Ravens coaches immediately halted practice when they realized how serious things were.

The Recovery Process

• Edwards missed the entire 2021 season
• It had been 645 days since his last NFL game when he returned
• He returned to practice in October 2022, more than a year after the injury
• Made his comeback in Week 7 of the 2022 season against Cleveland

The Return: Edwards scored two touchdowns and finished with a team-high 66 yards on 16 carries in his first game back. His coach, John Harbaugh, praised his powerful running style, saying Edwards is “unique” and “covers a lot of ground.”

This injury showed just how tough Edwards is. Coming back from an ACL tear takes serious determination, especially for a running back who relies on cutting and changing direction quickly.

Other Injuries Through the Years

2022: Minor Issues After returning from his ACL tear, Edwards dealt with small bumps and bruises but mostly stayed healthy. He needed time to get back into game shape and regain his confidence.

2023: Staying on the Field Edwards played in all 17 games last season, rushing for 810 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns on 198 carries. He was evaluated for a concussion in Week 3 and had a toe injury in Week 9, but these didn’t keep him out of any games.

2024: The Ankle Problems. As we covered earlier, the high ankle sprain became Edwards’ main issue this season. It happened in Week 4, kept him out for weeks, and even came back to bother him late in the year.

Performance Before Getting Hurt

One of the toughest parts about Edwards’ injuries is that they often came when he was playing his best football.

Pre-2021 ACL Tear Success

Before tearing his ACL in 2021, Edwards had put together three straight solid seasons with Baltimore:

• Three consecutive years with over 700 rushing yards
• Always averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry
• Known as a reliable short-yardage and goal-line back
• Scored at least six touchdowns each season

He had just signed a three-year contract extension worth over $12 million. The Ravens clearly believed in him, which makes the timing of his injury even more heartbreaking.

The 2023 Bounce-Back Year

Edwards proved he still had it in 2023, his final season with Baltimore. He rushed for 810 yards and scored a career-high 13 touchdowns.

This performance earned him a two-year contract with the Chargers worth about the same as he received under his previous deal.

2024: A Disappointing Final Chapter

Before getting hurt in Week 4, Edwards wasn’t playing at his usual level. In just 38 carries through four games, he only gained 113 yards, that’s less than 3 yards per carry. He hadn’t found the end zone yet either.

His best game came in Week 16 when he returned from injury. Those two touchdowns and 68 yards against Denver reminded everyone what he could do when healthy. But it wasn’t enough to save his spot on the team.

What’s Next for Gus Edwards?

Now that Edwards is a free agent, several questions come up about his future in the NFL.

Current Free Agency Status

At 30 years old, Edwards is entering a tricky stage of his career. Running backs often decline after 30, and teams know this. However, he still has some things working in his favor:

Strengths:

• Experience in the league (seven seasons)
• Proven goal-line and short-yardage ability
• Power running style that works well in specific offenses
• Fully recovered from his ankle injury

Concerns:

• Recent injuries have piled up
• Declining yards per carry (3.6 in 2024)
• Limited receiving skills
• His scheme-specific running style might make it tough to find a new employer

Which Teams Might Be Interested?

Edwards would fit best with teams that:

• Run a power-based rushing attack
• Need a veteran backup or short-yardage specialist
• Value experience over youth
• Use a lot of run-heavy formations

Teams with young or unproven running backs might consider signing Edwards as a mentor and insurance policy. He wouldn’t be expensive, which makes him an attractive option for teams with limited salary cap space.

Fantasy Football Outlook

For fantasy players, Edwards isn’t someone to get excited about anymore. Unless he lands with a team where he’ll be the main runner (which seems unlikely), he won’t see enough touches to matter in most fantasy leagues.

The best-case scenario would be joining a team as the clear number-two back on a run-heavy offense. Even then, you’d mainly be hoping for goal-line touchdowns.

Wrapping Up

Gus Edwards’ career has been full of ups and downs, but his toughness and work ethic continue to stand out.

Even with the injuries and the rough 2024 season, he has shown that he can bounce back and still make an impact when healthy.

Now that he’s a free agent, his future depends on finding the right team and the right system that fits his power-running style.

Fans will be watching closely to see where he ends up next and how he responds to this new chapter in his career. For now, Edwards remains one of the league’s most determined runners.

Want more updates on players like Gus Edwards? Stay tuned for upcoming guides and breakdowns!