Injuries, improvement, and impact: How Chargers match up against the Steelers

Another week, another major injury for the Los Angeles Chargers. In a season in which injuries are accumulating at an alarming rate, how will the Chargers gameplan to overcome a tough Pittsburgh Steelers team?

The Chargers have been digging themselves into a deeper hole each week in their quest at the division crown and a playoff spot, but, as the players know, there is no looking back at this point in the season. There is only looking forward to the next opponent.

Below are the injuries that the Chargers must overcome as well as the injuries on the Steelers roster that the Chargers will seek to exploit.

Chargers’ Injuries

Justin Jackson, Running Back – Doubtful (Calf)

Last week, the Chargers run game struggled a bit, as the coaches relied on a rusty Melvin Gordon  in the running game and only utilized Austin Ekeler in the passing game.

While Jackson is clearly a valuable asset and will be used when he is healthy, fans should be content with Gordon and Ekeler holding down the fort against the Steelers. One game is too early to panic about Gordon’s performance, and fans should expect a bounce-back game this week.

Andre Patton, Wide Receiver – No injury designation (Quad)

Patton has played a significant depth role since he was elevated from the practice squad in Week 2. However, with Travis Benjamin and Mike Williams healthy, Patton would likely not get many snaps even if he was healthy. Thus, his status will not play a major role unless someone above him suffers an injury.

Hunter Henry, Tight End – Questionable (Knee)

With the Chargers offense being anemic in recent weeks, the news of Henry’s impending return is music to the ears of Chargers fans everywhere. The Steelers have athletic inside linebackers in Devin Bush and Mark Barron, so it will likely take someone of Henry’s talent to find holes in the middle of the field.