Editor's update: Brandon Staley stated after the initial injury report was released that the Chargers expect Joey Bosa to play.
The LA Chargers host the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10 of the 2021 NFL season and it is important for the Bolts to get a win and pick up some momentum heading into the final third of the season. The Chargers control their own destiny and if they want to win the AFC West they have to beat teams like the Vikings.
That being said, the Chargers injury report for Week 10 is not great and is putting the defense in an awful position against Minnesota. It isn't just bad... it might swing the outcome in favor of the Vikings.
After practicing in a limited capacity on Thursday, star defensive end Joey Bosa did not suit up for practice on Friday. Michael Davis remained out, as did Justin Jackson.
Not practicing for #Chargers: Joey Bosa (ankle), Michael Davis (hamstring), Justin Jackson (quad)
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) November 12, 2021
Nasir Adderley (ankle) returned to practice.
This LA Chargers injury report is horrible news for the defense against the Minnesota Vikings
Joey Bosa is obviously the anchor of the LA Chargers defensive line and not having in this game is extremely beneficial for the Vikings. Bosa is the only player on the Bolts that has consistently been able to get pressure on the quarterback and not having him would be a huge loss.
Kirk Cousins' life becomes much easier without Bosa. The Vikings have an extremely dangerous wide receiver duo of Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson and with a banged-up secondary, it was important to get pressure on Cousins. That obviously becomes harder to do.
Not having Davis is huge as well. While the secondary played better than expected last week the Eagles do not have the best receiving corps in the league and Jalen Hurts is not much of a vertical threat. Cousins, meanwhile, can beat the Chargers in the passing game.
Not only is the pass defense much worse off but the run defense is a huge concern. Drue Tranquill was put on the covid-19/reserve list and is going to miss this game. While Kenneth Murray is returning, it is his first game back from injury and he struggled the last time we saw him.
It was unclear whether or not Dalvin Cook would play but all signs are now pointing to him playing in this game. The Chargers run defense is already the worse in the league and missing both Tranquill and Bosa is not making it any better.
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This could be a big offensive day for the Minnesota Vikings and it might take another shootout win for the Chargers to get the job done. They came out on the winning end of a similar game against the Cleveland Browns and the hope is that they can repeat that against Minnesota.