Prior to head coach Jim Harbaugh’s Friday media availability, the LA Chargers ruled out wide receiver Josh Palmer (heel) and running back Gus Edwards (ankle) from playing in Week 18.
Linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin) was listed as doubftful following three limited practices. Safety Alohi Gilman (hamstring) was a full participant in practice on Friday and is officially questionable for Sunday’s game. Gilman’s practice window was opened earlier this week for a potential return from IR.
Asked about Josh Palmer first, Harbaugh said that he was “progressing”. “Better today than yesterday,” Harbaugh explained. “That’s what he told me.” Both Edwards and Palmer registered three DNPs each this week.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh says WR Josh Palmer (heel) is "better today than yesterday".
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) January 3, 2025
On if RB Gus Edwards (ankle) was close to practicing this week: "He did not practice this week. He is progressing." pic.twitter.com/CipLuyXjIH
Harbaugh was pressed on if Edwards was close to a return to practice. “Define close,” he said. “He didn’t practice this week. He’s progressing too.”
Chargers may have to prepare for the NFL Playoffs without Josh Palmer and Gus Edwards
With the Chargers having a spot clinched, Week 18 isn’t necessarily a deadline to have Edwards, Palmer, or Perryman back. But Harbaugh was purposefully short on details as far as playoff availability for Palmer and Edwards. Asked if he anticipated playoff returns for them, Harbaugh said this:
”I don’t know,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t predict things. Just don’t predict things. I guess in the grand scale of everything we’re doing right now, couldn’t predict that I’d be here. So, can’t be expected to predict what’s going to happen in the future.”
Palmer was spotted in a walking boot along with S Elijah Molden after Saturday’s win over the Patriots. Edwards worked off to the side at practice today, but never engaged in any team activities.
How the next week of practice goes for both Palmer and Edwards will be massive in terms of their playoff availability for the teams’ wild card matchup. Keep in mind that with the playoff schedule, the Chargers could end up playing on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday on the 11th, 12th, or 13th. A game on Saturday would obviously mean a short week of rest for some of the injured players.
While they won’t be a part of the team's Week 18 plans, hopefully both Edwards and Palmer can make it back for the Bolts by Wild Card Weekend. The Chargers’ depth at receiver in particular has been brutally tested this year by a litany of injuries. Whether Palmer is ready to go or not, the team could benefit from using one of their added playoff IR activations on one of Simi Fehoko, Brenden Rice, or Jalen Reagor.
The Chargers will play the Raiders in Week 18 in a game that could determine their playoff opponent based off of the results of Saturday’s games.