Final Chargers injury report leaves defense shorthanded vs. dangerous Falcons offense

The final Chargers injury report for this week against the Falcons leaves the team a little shorthanded on the defensive side of the ball. Safety Alohi Gilman (hamstring), linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin), and corneback Cam Hart (ankle) were all ruled out for Jesse Minter's unit.

As reported would be the case earlier in the week by NFL insider Ian Rapoport, RB J.K. Dobbins (knee) has also been officially ruled out.

Linebacker Daiyan Henley is listed as questionable with a calf injury. He did not pop up on the injury report following Wednesday or Thursday's practices. When asked by ESPN's Kris Rhim as to whether Henley was injured in practice yesterday, Harbaugh was short with details:

"I don't know," Harbaugh said. "It just wasn't where we wanted it for today's practice."

Harbaugh was asked about whether some of the players who are listed as out like Perryman and Hart could be IR candidates. While he would not name specific players, he left the conversation open: "There's possibilities."

Henley on the other hand seems more optimistic on the outlook of his calf entering Sunday's game vs. the Falcons. He told reporters in the locker room that he is expecting to play in Atlanta:

Henley manned the second line of the defense with primarily the help of Nick Niemann in the teams' loss to the Ravens. Denzel Perryman's absence was certainly felt against Baltimore despite both Niemann and Troy Dye stepping up. LB Junior Colson remains on IR, but is first eligible to return next week vs. Kansas City.

Chargers' defense left shorthanded vs. Falcons

While the Falcons have been a rather middling team in terms of per-game rushing this year, they still have Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier as a solid two-headed duo.

If the Chargers struggle with the run to the degree they did vs. Baltimore, it opens up doors for Atlanta's top-five passing offense to open up some play-action shots. In short, the injuries the team is dealing with in the secondary and at linebacker aren't coming at the most convenient time.

Asked for his confidence level in Niemann and Dye if Henley cannot go, Harbaugh did not waver in his endorsement: "Yeah, confidence level is really good and I'm excited for how they can play, especially with more snaps under their belt."

Once again, Minter's defense has its work cut out for them as they head into Atlanta somewhat shorthanded against a potent offense.