After starting this NFL season 0-3, the Los Angeles Chargers badly need wins in bunches — now. It would help if they had all of their key players available to play, but following Friday’s practice session, that is looking somewhat unlikely.
Starting left guard Kayode Awosika and backup guard/tackle Trey Pipkins III have been dealing with fibula and knee injuries, respectively, and both missed last Sunday’s game versus the Buffalo Bills as a result. Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson sat out Week 3 with a hamstring injury, and wide receiver Brenen Thompson has a quad injury that forced him to sit out the game versus the Bills.
On Friday, the injury news for Los Angeles following practice wasn’t terrible, but it also wasn’t very encouraging.
One of L.A.’s stars could miss Sunday’s game
The Chargers have a tall task ahead of them, not only because their offense looks very out of sorts, but also because of their schedule. They’re very early in the gauntlet portion of their schedule, which will have them visiting the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks this Sunday.
It isn’t much of a surprise that Awosika, Pipkins, Thompson and Tomlinson, as well as tight end Charlie Kolar, who has a fractured forearm, have been ruled out for Week 4. But two new additions to the injury report are concerning.
Wide receiver Ladd McConkey, the top threat in the Bolts’ passing game, returned to practice in a limited capacity on Friday after missing Thursday’s practice with a foot injury. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, per Kris Rhim of ESPN.
McConkey had already been dealing with a rib injury he suffered in the Chargers’ regular-season opener versus the Arizona Cardinals.
Star safety Derwin James Jr. has been dealing with a hamstring ailment, and he is questionable. So are cornerback Donte Jackson, who suffered a concussion in Week 3’s game, safety Elijah Molden (hamstring) and backup quarterback Trey Lance (groin).
There was, however, one piece of good news for the Chargers on the injury front on Friday. Running back Keaton Mitchell, who sustained an ankle injury this week, fully took part in practice and isn’t on the injury report. This past weekend, he was a significant contributor with 52 rushing yards on eight carries.
