Chargers S Tony Jefferson was controversially ejected in the Chargers’ 16-13 win over the Chiefs. After several hard hits, Jefferson was ejected in the fourth quarter after a hit that was ruled to be illegal on Kansas City WR Tyquan Thornton. He flipped the bird to the crowd and got into it with several Chiefs players before going off the field.
As a result of the hit and the ejection, Jefferson will likely be subject to a fine by the league. The defense was already shorthanded after S R.J. Mickens went out of the game with a shoulder injury. S Elijah Molden was ruled out for the game with an injury on Friday. Practice squad elevation Marcus Williams got his first action of the season as a result of the chaos.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh had Tony Jefferson’s back after the ejection in the win over the Chiefs.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh was asked about Jefferson’s ejection and the hit postgame. He went to bat for his veteran safety:
”I saw a football play is what I saw,” Harbaugh said of Jefferson’s ejection. “Was told that was the ruling. New York (the replay center) saw it as an ejection, so message to our team was just keep playing ball, keep playing.”
”All legal hits from what I saw,” Harbaugh said. “Our guys were playing ball. They didn’t let that emotionally hijack us.”
The Chargers were able to get multiple defensive stops in the fourth quarter as DC Jesse MInter’s unit had it’s best showing of the season. On the final drive of the game, Chefs QB Patrick Mahomes went out with a knee injury and was replaced by Gardner Minshew. Minshew threw a game-ending interception to S Derwin James. After the game, Harbaugh also gave his thoughts and prayers to Mahomes.
Mahomes injury was confirmed to be a torn ACL. His recovery time will likely bleed into some of, if not all, of the 2026 season.
The Bolts’ playoff odds are now well over 90% while the Chiefs were formally eliminated from playoff contention. Currently on The Athletic’s Upshot model, the Chargers have a 94% chance to make the playoffs. There could be clinching scenarios in play next week when the Chargers head to Dallas to take on the Cowboys.
Hopefully, Jefferson avoids a suspension and is able to play for the Chargers next week vs. the Cowboys. The Chargers’ 3-game post-bye winning streak comes at a time where this portion of their schedule was viewed as the hardest in the league. Los Angeles has now beaten both 2024 Super Bowl participants in back-to-back weeks.