Chargers news: Several key players hit COVID-19 list on Monday

Chargers news update: The Chargers added a grand total of seven players to the COVID-19 list while activating Rashawn Slater off of the list.

The NFL has been dealing with a surge of positive COVID-19 cases in recent weeks and it appeared as if the LA Chargers might have dodged a bullet with a Thursday Night game and looser COVID protocols by the NFL on the way. However, the Chargers news on Monday was not as forgiving as it was announced that Austin Ekeler, Joey Bosa and Corey Linsley had all been put on the COVID-19 list.

As we have learned thus far this season, this is often a fluid situation that can change throughout the week. There is still a decent chance that all three players could play on Sunday against the Houston Texans. However, the most concerning part about Daniel Popper's tweet is the last sentence. More names expected today.

Several NFL teams have been dealing with COVID outbreaks over the last two weeks and it appears that the LA Chargers are the latest team to be added to this list. While the Chargers have an easy opponent in the Houston Texans this Sunday, the team cannot afford to drop a game like this in the midst of the playoff hunt.

The Chargers losing against the Chiefs in Week 15 gave the team little to no wiggle room to make the playoffs. The Bolts have to finish at least with 10 wins to make the playoffs and getting a "free" win against the Texans in Week 16 was huge in that equation. Now, with the other names still incoming, who knows how easy this win will really be.

What we know about this LA Chargers news:

If both Austin Ekeler and Corey Linsley are vaccinated and tested positive then they could still play on Sunday if they produce two negative COVID-19 tests at least 24 hours apart and do not have any symptoms. However, as we saw with the timeline of Keenan Allen and Rashawn Slater, that is not something to hold your breath for.

As far as Joey Bosa is concerned, we know that he is not vaccinated as he was put on the COVID-19 list earlier this season as a close contact. He ended up playing that game as he never tested positive and the same can be said this week if he is just a close contact and not a positive test.

However, if Bosa tested positive then he is going to have to miss at least 10 days (unless it was a false positive). That means that he will undoubtedly miss the Week 16 game against the Texans if he is a positive case.

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We will continue to update this story as more LA Chargers news becomes available.