Ballage is coming off career highs, rushing for 303 yards on 91 carries (3.3 YPC) between the Jets and Chargers. He made two spot starts in Weeks 5-6 while Austin Ekeler was sidelined. The 25-year-old remained ineffective despite his increased role, but his prototype build continues to land him chances.  Ballage joins Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, and Jaylen Samuels as a veteran committee option for the Steelers. Pittsburgh is still expected to add a running back in April's draft.

Ballage was not targeted in the passing game. Claimed in early November, injury conspired to make Ballage the Chargers' early-down back for the better part of a month, while he remained involved to an almost inexplicable degree even following Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson's returns from injury. Coach Anthony Lynn was clearly a fan, but Ballage ultimately didn't show much more juice (3.29 YPC) than he did during his Dolphins days. With Lynn quite possibly on the way out, Ballage won't have a 2021 roster protector. Unsigned for 2021, Ballage will probably still get a shot to crack the Chargers' 53-man roster.   

It's easy to see that Austin Ekeler isn't full healthy coming of his severe hamstring injury, but he managed to complete to contest without a setback. Ballage will be the No. 2 back for Week 17 with Justin Jackson also mixing in.

The Chargers like Ballage enough that they made Justin Jackson a healthy scratch this evening and waived Troymaine Pope. His score was a one-yarder. Even with Austin Ekeler (quad) at less than 100 percent health right now, there will be zero reason for fantasy managers to turn to Ballage against the Broncos in Week 16.