The LA Chargers are playing the most important game of the 2024 season thus far on short rest. Los Angeles hosts the Denver Broncos on Thursday just days after suffering the worst loss of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
There are real playoff implications on the line for both teams in Week 16 with the Chargers needing the win more. While Los Angeles does get to finish the season with two favorable matchups against the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders, losing in Week 16 at least opens the door for trouble moving forward.
Injuries are always a concern for teams on a short week and the Chargers are no different. Thankfully for the Bolts, quarterback Justin Herbert is in a better place with his ankle than a week ago and No. 1 wideout Ladd McConkey was not on the injury report at all.
Herbert was removed from the Chargers' final injury report of the week in what is a positive development for the star quarterback. However, the injury report still has its pros and cons.
Final Chargers injury report vs. Broncos:
#DENvsLAC game status
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 18, 2024
QUESTIONABLE — Denzel Perryman, Otito Ogbonnia, Zion Johnson, Hayden Hurst
DOUBTFUL — Elijah Molden
OUT — Will Dissly, Cam Hart
In a perfect world the Chargers would have all 53 players healthy and ready to play but all things considered, this is a promising injury report for the Bolts. It is not perfect, but it could have been worse for the team.
The absences of Will Dissly and Cam Hart will be felt. Hart's absence will be more impactful as he has played a key role at outside corner for the Bolts. Ja'Sir Taylor must elevate his play to fill in for Hart and keep last week from becoming the start of a trend.
Hart's absence will be felt further is Elijah Molden is unable to play. Molden has been key in adding defensive versatility in allowing Derwin James to play more nickel. With Molden hurt and Alohi Gilman on IR, the Chargers will be turning to veterans Marcus Maye and Tony Jefferson for safety depth.
The two most notable names dubbed as questionable are Denzel Perryman and Zion Johnson. Perryman already said he expects to play this week and should provide the Chargers a defensive shot in the arm after a bad week against the Bucs.
Johnson, meanwhile, suffered an ankle injury after being rolled up on against the Buccaneers. If he is unable to play then Jamaree Salyer will likely slot in at left guard, ending the right guard rotation with himself and Trey Pipkins.
The hope is that Otito Ogbonni and Hayden Hurst can play but it will not be the end of the world for the Chargers if they are inactive.