Yesterday, the LA Chargers opened wide receiver Simi Fehoko’s 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve. That was a big move in terms of playoff roster positioning considering that Los Angeles used up their eight in-season IR activations.
Playoff teams are then given two added IR activations at the start of the postseason. If the Chargers eventually activate Fehoko from IR after opening his practice window, he would count as one of those two activation spots.
Today, the Chargers have made it clear who that second IR activation might go to. The team opened the 21-day practice window for cornerback Eli Apple. Apple has been out since Week 13. He suffered a hamstring injury during the first half against the Ravens the week before.
Simi Fehoko and Eli Apple may be the Chargers' two IR activations in NFL Playoffs
As mentioned with the playoff rules, Apple and Fehoko being activated at some point during the postseason would once again max out the Chargers’ ability to bring back players from IR. This means that CB Asante Samuel Jr., S Marcus Maye, WR Jalen Reagor, and WR Brenden Rice would be unable to return to the team in the 2024 playoffs.
Fehoko brings much-needed wide receiver depth considering the current absence of WR Josh Palmer. Palmer (heel) did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday, leaving his status for Saturday’s Texans game in doubt. Prior to getting hurt against Cleveland, Fehoko was beginning to get more snaps offensively in addition to his work on special teams.
Apple would fortify the teams’ secondary depth. CB Ja’Sir Taylor did not play a snap defensively vs. the Raiders while CB Kristian Fulton left the game with what the team designated as illness. Prior to his injury, Apple primarily worked the boundary as one of the teams’ outside corners.
The 21-day practice windows mean that both Fehoko and Apple could be activated at any point within the next three weeks. That could be before Saturday’s game or later on in the playoffs should the Chargers advance past Houston into the divisional round.
Hopefully, the Chargers do get both Fehoko and Apple back for the Texans’ game this weekend as the team continues to trend healthier.