The LA Chargers beat the New England Patriots 40-7 on Saturday to clinch a playoff berth and win the team's first game by 30 or more points since the 2019 season. It was all celebration for the Chargers, who can now go after the fifth seed in Week 18 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
It wasn't all good news for the Chargers on Saturday, though. Los Angeles suffered a big loss to the secondary late in the game against the Patriots when safety Elijah Molden was carted off the field with a left shin injury.
The severity of the injury was unclear at the time as it was a noncontact injury. Molden was nursing a right knee injury heading into the game but with the injury on the other leg, Chargers fans didn't know what to expect.
Unfortunately, the initial reports around Molden's injury would end his 2024 season. According to Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Molden suffered a broken fibula against the Patriots.
Elijah Molden injury is a huge blow to the Chargers
A broken fibula will end Molden's 2024 season if that is the confirmed diagnosis. The Chargers have not confirmed the diagnosis, and likely won't do so until Monday at the earliest. Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco fractured his fibula earlier this season and wound up missing nine weeks. Nine weeks from Saturday is March 1.
Molden has been an instrumental member of the Chargers' secondary this season. Molden has been key in logging snaps at the safety position to allow Derwin James to play in the nickel. James is having one of the best seasons of his career in this system, and Molden's impact is a big reason why.
The Chargers' safety room has been plagued with injuries this season. Alohi Gilman has not played since the loss to the Ravens and currently sits on IR. Tony Jefferson, who was retired a year ago, has been forced into a bigger role as a result.
The Chargers can either start Jefferson and James at the two safety positions. But with James' success in the nickel, the Chargers may be forced to start fellow veteran Eddie Jackson alongside Jefferson at safety.
Los Angeles just signed Jackson to the practice squad after he was released by the Ravens in November. He appeared in five games for the Ravens, playing 339 snaps prior to his release.