The LA Chargers are on the biggest stage in Week 11 as the team hosts the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football. With the Chargers firmly in a playoff position, and the Bengals playing to keep their playoff hopes alive, Sunday's game is sure to be one of the most entertaining primetime games of the season.
The Chargers and Bengals have a history of playing notable games and this should be no different with Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow under center. The two elite quarterbacks from the 2020 NFL Draft have only squared off once, with Herbert getting the better of Burrow in 2022.
With Herbert and Burrow both playing their best ball of the season heading into the game, the difference very well could be the health of both teams. For the first time all season, the Chargers head into Week 11's contest with a mostly clean bill of health.
Chargers inactives list vs. Bengals:
Position | Player |
|---|---|
EDGE | Khalil Mack |
WR | DJ Chark Jr. |
QB | Easton Stick |
RB | Kimani Vidal |
OL | Brenden Jaimes |
OL | Jordan McFadden |
TE | Hayden Hurst |
The final Chargers injury report of the week was as clear as it has been all season. Only one player did not practice on Friday (Khalil Mack) while Deane Leonard joined him with a questionable game designation after a limited practice.
Mack not playing is obviously less than ideal but the Chargers are ready to counter that. All signs point to Joey Bosa seeing an uptick in playing time against the Bengals as he appears to be fully recovered.
There are some surprises in the rest of the inactives. Wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. is not suiting up after recently making his season debut. Hayden Hurst also appeared to be on the mend, but will not play against the Bengals.
Kimani Vidal, Justin Eboigbe, Easton Stick and Jordan McFadden have all been inactive for most of the 2024 season.
Full Bengals inactives list vs. Chargers:
Position | Player |
|---|---|
WR | Charlie Jones |
OT | Orlando Brown |
WR | Isaiah Williams |
S | Daijahn Anthony |
LB | Joe Bachie |
TE | Tanner McLachlan |
DT | Sheldon Rankins |
Wide receiver Charlie Jones was the only player who received an OUT designation in the final injury report of the week. Tee Higgins was officially listed as questionable but his status against the Chargers was never in doubt.
It was also reported before the inactives became official that offensive tackle Orlando Brown would not be suiting up in Week 11. That is a major loss for a Bengals offensive line that is coming up against a stout pass rush that leads one of the best defenses in all of football.
The rest of the Bengals inactives are rather inconsequential.