The LA Chargers host the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football in a game that is a must-win. With a loss, the Chargers' season would essentially be over as a 2-5 loss would be impossible to dig out of (especially after losing to a team like the Chicago Bears).
Unfortunately, the injury bug has followed the Chargers from the 2022 season to the 2023 season. Justin Herbert was already short-handed with his weapons, as both Mike Williams and Gerald Everett are out with injuries (not to mention Herbert having a bum finger on his left hand).
To make matters worse, Joshua Palmer entered the game as questionable after missing early practices in the week with a knee injury. Palmer ultimately suited up and gave it a go and it did not take long for the Chargers to re-think the decision to make Palmer active. Late in the first quarter, Palmer went down after making a catch clutching his injured knee. He could not put any weight on the leg.
Palmer hopping off the field on one leg and heading straight to medical tent. Looked like he was grabbing same right knee he injured in KC after the play. https://t.co/RaOvNWOTiM
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) October 30, 2023
Chargers' Joshua Palmer decision instantly backfires against Bears
Update: Joshua Palmer returned to the game in the second quarter. We'll see if that was a good decision or not.
It is clear that the Chargers thought Palmer was healthy enough to play and it is clearer that Palmer should not have suited up in this game. Whether it was solely the team's decision or if it was Palmer's does not matter. The Bolts should have protected Palmer and taken the long-term outlook.
If Palmer didn't play then his injury could have been a one-week issue that was resolved and didn't last much longer. Now, with how badly Palmer looked to be hurt, Chargers fans need to prepare for multiple weeks without the third-year wideout.
And that is unfortunate. LA's wide receiver depth is not great. The room now consists of a 31-year-old Keenan Allen, two unproven rookies from TCU, and a speed threat who is coming off of a torn ACL and has not played for an entire year.
If Palmer's injury is as serious as it looked then Justin Herbert is going to have quite the challenge ahead of him. If anything, this should have at least convinced the Chargers to make a trade for a receiver before the deadline.