Chargers HC Brandon Staley provides handful of injury updates

The injury bug bit the Chargers.

The injury bug bit the Chargers during the loss to the Jaguars. Entering the game, they were already short-handed as they were missing a few key players.

Head coach Brandon Staley provided the status of the ones who didn’t play and those who suffered injuries during the game.

The full list of updates is below:

Chargers HC Brandon Staley provides updates ahead of Thursday Night Football

Chargers HC Brandon Staley updated the statuses of a few key players on Monday.

After defeating the Giants, the Chargers are nearly 72 hours away from taking the field against division-rival Chiefs. Several key players’ statuses are looming, with the latest being Rashawn Slater.

Brandon Staley confirmed that Slater tested positive for COVID-19, adding that there’s still a chance he plays on Thursday night.

However, Slater would need to have two negative tests at least 24 hours apart and be asymptomatic for 48 hours for that to happen.

A few notables did not play against New York, star safety Derwin James and wide receiver Keenan Allen.

James, who popped up on the injury report a day before the Week 13 matchup with a hamstring issue, is currently day-to-day, but Staley said he reported better today than he was yesterday.

Austin Ekeler left the game on Sunday with an ankle injury. Staley said it is “nothing major,” and he is expected back at practice this week.

Good news also applies for Allen, who is expected to play this week, barring any setback, according to Staley. Allen was ruled out with COVID-19.

Chargers provide injury updates on Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen and Derwin James

Chargers HC Brandon Staley talked about the status of three key players following their win over the Giants.

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Following the Chargers’ 37-21 win over the Giants, Brandon Staley provided updates on Austin Ekeler’s ankle injury and the status of two inactives this week, Keenan Allen and Derwin James.

According to Staley, Ekeler is fine and could have returned to the game. Fans can now sigh in relief since the AFC matchup with the Chiefs is in just four days, and Los Angeles will need all of its firepower against Kansas City.

Another positive update that Staley discussed was Allen, who was out on Sunday. Staley is optimistic about Allen’s return, which would require him to clear protocols to play Thursday.

The status of James is more ambiguous. Staley said this about the star safety: “We just wanted to make sure that we were careful. … So hoping for a good recovery here and hopefully, we can get him back Thursday night.”

Against an offense led by Patrick Mahomes, the Chargers will need all their starters, especially James, the heart and soul of the defense.

Chargers injury updates ahead of Week 5 vs. Browns

The Chargers should be getting two players back this weekend.

After finishing the final practice of the week before taking on the Browns this weekend, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley provided an update on a few players that either dealt or are dealing with an injury.

Even though he is listed as questionable on the final injury report, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (shoulder) is expected to play on Sunday, according to head coach Brandon Staley.

“Barring any setback, I think he should play. He’s practiced pretty well this week and is feeling pretty good.”

Staying in the secondary, cornerback and special teams ace Ryan Smith is expected to make his 2021 season debut this weekend. Signed this past offseason, Smith should aid the coverage units.

The only player that will not likely see the action is running back Justin Jackson, who is doubtful with a groin injury. Therefore, Joshua Kelley would be in a position to make his season debut.

Updates to Chargers’ Corey Linsley, Kenneth Murray

The Chargers had a slight scare at practice on Sunday.

There was a couple of slight scares at SoFi Stadium during the Chargers training camp practice, as linebacker Kenneth Murray and center Corey Linsley both got banged up that had to be tended to by trainers.

Murray’s occurred when he was pushing tight end Jared Cook out of bounds. He appeared to roll his ankle and was walking gingerly afterwards. He remained on the sidelines the rest of practice.

Linsley, on the other hand, came up with a foot injury. He left the field with the team’s trainers and never returned to practice.

The good news is that both injuries are minor. Head coach Brandon Staley said they were pulled for precautionary reasons and that they would have likely played through it.

“We are being careful. If this is a ball game might be a different story,” Staley said.

Los Angeles does not practice on Monday, and it remains to be seen if they will on Tuesday.

Chargers EDGE Joey Bosa in concussion protocol

This would mark the second sustained this season.

Chargers edge defender Joey Bosa left last Thursday’s game against the Raiders early to be evaluated for a concussion.

Days have past and it appears that the 25-year old is in concussion protocol, according to the team.

Bosa missed two games due to a concussion suffered Week 8. He’s dealt with a myriad of health issues, including injuries to his triceps, ankle and knee in addition to the pair of concussions.

Given this would mark his second concussion sustained in one season, it would be wise for Los Angeles to shut him, with only two games left to be played.

In 2020, Bosa has amassed 39 tackles (29 solo), 27 quarterback hits, 15 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.

Injury updates on Chargers’ Austin Ekeler, Chris Harris, Jr.

One member of the Los Angeles Chargers could return this upcoming weekend.

The Chargers were hit with injuries to key players near the beginning of the season. In recent weeks, they got back some of them like tackle Bryan Bulaga and guard Trai Turner. But they’ve still been without a few other notables like running back Austin Ekeler and cornerback Chris Harris, Jr.

Ekeler, who’s been running now, used social media to hint when he would be returning, pegging a Week 12 as his ideal return date. But despite his optimism, coach Anthony Lynn said that “it would be nice” but didn’t offer much more than that.

Meanwhile, Harris returning this upcoming weekend against the Bills is more realistic. Lynn said that the team would like to see him on the field on Sunday after suffering a foot injury in Week 3. Last week, Harris was designated to return from the injured reserve.

We will update the status on both players as this week goes on.