Secondary concerns highlight lengthy Chargers' Week 2 injury report

The LA Chargers' injury report for Week 2 contains more bumps and bruises relative to last week. Ten players landed on the injury report on Wednesday as Los Angeles prepares for a road trip to Carolina.

Three Chargers were listed with full practice designations: CB Asante Samuel Jr. (Shoulder), CB Tarheeb Still (Hip), and LB Junior Colson (Knee) still seem on track to start Sunday.

Five players registered limited participation in practice. EDGE Khalil Mack (Rest), WR Josh Palmer (Knee), LB Denzel Perryman (Thigh), RB Hassan Haskins (Toe), and EDGE Joey Bosa (Back) seem as though they'd still be on track to play Sunday barring injury reaggravations.

S Alohi Gilman (Knee) and CB Ja'Sir Taylor (Fibula) were the only two Chargers' players to not practice on Wednesday.

While not the worst-case scenario with two days of practice remaining this week, it's suboptimal for the secondary. Taylor, Gilman, or both missing Sunday's game against the Panthers would cause a secondary shuffling domino effect.

Injury report leaves Chargers with questions to answer in secondary

If Taylor cannot play, do the Chargers trust Tarheeb Still to step up into the primary slot cornerback spot? It's a question worth asking after the team opted to make Still inactive for the team's season opener last week.

Another possibility is that the Chargers could play around with safety Elijah Molden's versatility. DC Jesse Minter previously has talked about his ability to play slot corner or safety. Molden could either play in place of Taylor or Gilman. Alternatively, they could give him work at both spots.

The Chargers also still have Tony Jefferson on the team's practice squad after his great preseason performance vs. Dallas. If Gilman specifically can't go on Sunday, it seems likely that the veteran safety would be in line for his first gameday elevation of the 2024 season.

The Chargers signed CB Dicaprio Bootle to their practice squad prior to Wednesday's practice. They now have three corners on their 17-man practice squad, including Shaun Wade and Nehemiah Shelton. In addition to Jefferson potentially being elevated for Gilman, those are a few names that could be under consideration for elevation if Taylor is unable to go.

With the Chargers having to travel to Carolina this week instead of staying at home, there's a possibility we may have a better idea on who's playing and who isn't before the weekend.

However, all players are likely to travel with the team considering they're not returning to the Los Angeles area until after their Week 3 game vs. Pittsburgh.