Chargers News: Chiefs also dealing with covid-19 issues for Thursday Night Football
By Jason Reed
On Monday, it was reported that standout left tackle Rashawn Slater had tested positive for covid-19 and was put on the covid-19 list. While there is optimism that he can play on Thursday Night Football he would have to test negative twice within three days of testing positive for the virus. This LA Chargers news was a massive blow to the team ahead of the biggest game of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the Chiefs are dealing with covid-19 issues as well. Frank Clark has also been put on the covid-19 list, and with his coming a day later, it is extremely far-fetched that he is going to play on Thursday unless it was a false positive.
There are parallels between these two positive tests. The Chargers are starting two practice-squad level tackles in Storm Norton and Trey Pipkins and there was concern about the pass-rush getting to Justin Herbert. Now, the Chiefs will be without their best pass-rusher. Sure, Jones plays on the inside, but it does take away some of the advantages that the Chiefs had in this game.
Fans are waiting for positive LA Chargers news ahead of Thursday Night Football
We can probably pencil in Slater and Jones not playing but there is other LA Chargers news that fans are patiently waiting for. We still do not know if Keenan Allen is going to be able to play in this game. Allen was put on the covid-19 list last Monday and at the time of writing this has still not produced the two negative tests in order to return to the team.
The timeline is in the Chargers' favor and Allen should be able to play, but you never know with these things.
There are injury designations that fans are waiting to get some Chargers news on as well. Austin Ekeler left Sunday's game early with an ankle injury, although all signs are pointed to him being able to play in this game. Derwin James (hamstring) and Asante Samuel Jr. (concussion) also did not play against the Giants and their status for Thursday is still up in the air.
If the Chargers are going to beat the Chiefs then they are going to need these key pieces of the secondary to slow down the passing game. The status of James and Samuel could very well swing the outcome of the game.
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At the end of the day, it is a terrible thing that both the Chargers and Chiefs are dealing with covid issues ahead of what will probably be one of the biggest and most important games of the entire NFL season.