To say the Chargers are injured would be an understatement.
The bye week in Week 6, however, came at the perfect time to allow players to rest and those who have missed some time to get healthier before taking the field for Los Angeles’ stretch of 11 straight games.
At Wednesday’s media availability, coach Anthony Lynn addressed the status of some key members of the team, starting with defensive tackle Justin Jones and defensive end Melvin Ingram.
Lynn said that Jones and Ingram will get some individual work this week. He added if they play then it would be on a snap count. Both guys were designated to return off the injured reserve Monday.
On the other side of the ball, guard Trai Turner and tackle Bryan Bulaga have missed a few weeks and have yet to play more than one drive together. The chances of them returning this weekend appear to be slim, as Lynn said the two “aren’t there yet.”
Without them on the field, the offensive line has struggled. Another position that has failed to put together solid production is the running back group ever since Austin Ekeler went down with a hamstring injury in the fourth week of the season.
Ekeler was placed on the IR and while reports said that it could be a six-week recovery process, he might be out longer than suggested.
Lynn said Ekeler’s return will be “later rather than sooner,” calling the hamstring injury “very serious.”
A player who appeared to be a long shot to return, but actually could is linebacker Drue Tranquill. Lynn said that Tranquill has a chance to return late this season.
Tranquill sustained a broken ankle in the season opener against the Bengals.