Tag: Chargers vs. Texans

Chargers vs. Texans injury report: Asante Samuel Jr., Alohi Gilman trending towards return

The Chargers should be getting some reinforcements in the secondary this weekend.

After an extended week to recover following their loss to the Chiefs, the Chargers returned to the practice field to prepare for the Week 16 matchup with the Texans.

Here is a look at the first injury report:

Derwin James (hamstring) and Donald Parham (concussion) did not practice.

Brandon Staley said that Parham is safe and sound, his spirits are high, and that more updates will become available as time goes on. He is currently day-to-day.

Among the three full participants, Asante Samuel Jr. (concussion) and Alohi Gilman (quadriceps) were the notables, as the two have not played since Week 11 and 10, respectively.

The 11 players on the COVID-19 list are not among those on the injury report. Joey Bosa and Kemon Hall are out this weekend, and the others are day-to-day.

Brandon Staley talks Chargers’ game plan without Joey Bosa vs. Texans

The Chargers will be without their star pass rusher this weekend against the Texans.

The Chargers will be without one of their star defenders when they take on the Texans this Sunday, as Joey Bosa was ruled out with COVID-19.

This season, Bosa has been on a tear with 62 pressures, 44 hurries, 27 run stops, and nine sacks.

At Monday’s media availability, Brandon Staley was asked how the team is planning on adjusting without Bosa.

“It’s going to be a team operation. You’re going to be borrowing from a couple of places,” Staley said. “You’re just going to have to have a lot of hybrid-type groupings available.

It’s going to be all hands on deck. That’s what the NFL is showing right now, that you need to have depth this time of year, and you have to be able to figure it out. That’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

This wouldn’t mark the first time without Bosa this season. Three weeks ago, in the victory over the Bengals, the Bolts dominated upfront, minimizing opportunities on the ground while generating consistent pressure.

Uchenna Nwosu, who stepped up big time that game with seven pressures and two sacks, will be tasked with being the group’s engineer.

The starter opposite Nwosu remains to be seen, considering rookie Chris Rumph II is also on the COVID-19 list.

If Rumph is inactive, the Chargers will likely start Kenneth Murray. Murray has struggled since making the position switch from linebacker to edge defender.

Another option is Emeke Egbule, who has appeared in two games this season.

Los Angeles has also succeeded in getting to opposing quarterbacks by utilizing blitz/pressure packages with linebackers and defensive backs and twists/stunts, no matter the personnel.

Nonetheless, while the Bolts’ edge defender group may be thin this weekend, they have a favorable matchup, facing a Texans offensive line that has allowed the seventh-most sacks this season (37).

Chargers add two more players to COVID-19 list

The Chargers’ COVID-19 outbreak now sits at nine players.

The Chargers’ COVID-19 outbreak now sits at nine players.

After placing seven on Monday, Chase Daniel and Joe Gaziano were the latest to be added, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

If Daniel is out this weekend against the Texans, Easton Stick will serve as Justin Herbert’s backup.

Meanwhile, Gaziano has been an integral part of the defensive line rotation. If he can’t go, expect a player, like Andrew Brown to be promoted from the practice squad.

If Daniel or Gaziano are vaccinated, they can use one of three testing options and return if they’re asymptomatic for at least 24 hours, per the new protocols.

4 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 16 opponent: Texans

Highlighting important things to know about the Chargers’ opponent ahead of the Week 16 matchup.

The Chargers are set to take on the Texans on Dec. 26 at 1:05 pm PT in hopes of bouncing back after their loss to the Chiefs last Thursday.

Here are four important things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the Week 16 bout.

Bottom of the barrel

This season hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for the Texans, as they’re 3-11, with their wins coming over the Jaguars twice and the Titans. Houston is dead-last in offensive yards produced (3,717), second-least in points per game (14.8), and has given up the fourth-most yards (5,297) and points per game (26.6).

Who’s under center?

Deshaun Watson is among the first players thought of whenever the Texans are brought up. However, facing multiple lawsuits, Watson’s time in the NFL is on the line altogether. Former Chargers QB Tyrod Taylor was the next in line. Taylor showed promise before injuring his hamstring. When he returned, he struggled, which led to him getting benched in favor of rookie Davis Mills for the remainder of the season. In 10 games, eight of which he started, Mills has thrown for 1,946 yards, ten touchdowns to nine interceptions.

Deadly weapon

Even though the Texans don’t necessarily have a prolific passing offense, they still have a receiver that’s a threat to any secondary. Brandin Cooks, the speedy veteran, has shown the ability to produce at a high level no matter who’s under center. In the last two games, Mills and Cooks connected for 203 yards and two touchdowns on 15 receptions. This season, Cooks has 80 catches for 945 yards and five scores.

Ball magnets

The Texans struggle with allowing points and yards altogether, but they do have a knack for getting their hands on the football. The team has combined for 14 interceptions, which is tied for the fifth-most in the NFL. It’s been a collaborative effort, but Lonnie Johnson leads the crop with three, followed by former Chargers CB Desmond King with two.

Chris Rumph II among 4 other Chargers added to COVID-19 list

The Chargers’ COVID-19 outbreak sits at seven players.

The Chargers’ COVID-19 outbreak is up to seven players.

The team announced that Andre Roberts, Tevaughn Campbell, Trey Marshall, and Chris Rumph are joining Joey Bosa, Kemon Hall and Corey Linsley on the COVID-19 list.

Bosa and Hall were ruled out for this weekend’s game against the Texans. Linsley is day-to-day. The status of Roberts, Campbell, Marshall, and Rumph remains to be seen.

In other roster-related news, Los Angeles activated Rashawn Slater from the COVID-19 list and claimed former Bronco Essang Bassey.

An undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest, Bassey appeared in 12 games in 2020 as a rookie and started three contests before suffering a torn ACL. He recorded one interception, two passes defended, and a fumble recovery.

Chargers EDGE Joey Bosa ruled out vs. Texans

The Chargers will be without their star pass rusher against the Texans.

The Chargers will be without their star pass rusher this Sunday when they take on the Texans, as Joey Bosa has been ruled out after being placed on the COVID-19 list on Monday, per Brandon Staley.

Bosa, who is unvaccinated, must stay isolated for at least 10 days.

In addition, Kemon Hall is also out for this weekend.

As for the other two players who were added to the COVID-19 list, Corey Linsley and Austin Ekeler, they are considered day-to-day, according to Staley.

With the new NFL protocols, Linsley and Ekeler can use one of three testing options and return if they’re asymptomatic for at least 24 hours.

With Bosa out, Chris Rumph II will likely be the starter opposite Uchenna Nwosu, with Kenneth Murray and Emeke Egbule rotating in.