As the Los Angeles Chargers enter their Week 5 matchup against the Washington Commanders, they desperately need a win to set themselves back on the right track following their disastrous defeat at the hands of the New York Giants last week.
While the Commanders would normally present a relatively imposing offensive threat, the Chargers' defense now has a chance to dominate yet again, with numerous opposing pass catchers having the chance to miss the matchup between the two teams.
Although the most notable piece from Wednesday's injury report was Terry McLaurin's quad injury, both Noah Brown (groin/knee) and Deebo Samuel (heel) missed practice as well, and, if even one of these pass catchers ultimately is forced to miss their matchup with Los Angeles, it could provide enough relief for the Chargers' secondary to put up another notable performance.
The Chargers' defense could be absolutely stifling in Week 5 if any Commanders' receivers miss time
As Los Angeles held their opponents to a combined 50 points in their first three games of the season, it quickly became clear that the team's defense was going to be vital to their success yet again.
Although the offense, led by ascendant quarterback Justin Herbert, has had flashes of excellence throughout this early portion of the season, the offensive line has struggled mightily both with injuries and in their actual performance. This has greatly limited the offense's ceiling and was a major factor in their 21-18 loss to the Giants.
Washington, meanwhile, has struggled on both sides of the ball this season relative to their performance in their last campaign. Across their first four games, they rank 12th in total offense and 24th in yards allowed on defense.
This, in part, is a result of the fact that quarterback Jayden Daniels has missed both of the Commanders' last two matchups, with Marcus Mariota stepping into his place.
Now, however, Daniels will return to face Los Angeles, and the team's defense will be called upon yet again to give their team a chance to come away with the victory.
While it remains unclear whether Samuel or Brown will play this week, their star pass catcher, McLaurin, already missed their Week 4 matchup, and the team has been rather tight-lipped about the actual nature of his injury.
Beyond McLaurin, Samuel and Brown, Washington is severely lacking depth, with rookie receiver Jaylin Lane being perhaps their most explosive piece in that region of the depth chart.
Therefore, if either McLaurin or Samuel miss time, the Chargers will be able to focus their secondary on just a singular threat, and, if the pass rush can get home yet again this week, the struggling Commanders' offense could be up against a serious mistmatch in Week 5.