The Los Angeles Chargers were hoping to get a little more healthy coming out of their bye week, but when the initial injury report was filed, it was just as long as it was before the Kansas City Chiefs game.
Chargers Move Edwards and Samuel To IR
Then the final report came out three starters were listed as “out.” Two of those starters are now moving to the injured reserve. Running back, Gus Edwards and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. will be the seventh and eighth Charger to land on the IR. They will miss at least four weeks — making their first eligible game to return Week 10 against the Tennessee Titans.
Edwards was originally named co-starter, but the Chargers have leaned toward fellow former Baltimore Raven J.K. Dobbins — 59.2 percent of snaps to 38.2 for Edwards. Dobbins had had the hot hand, but the Chargers running game has stalled the last two weeks. Hassan Haskins is the only other back to take handoffs this season. They also have, rookie sixth-rounder, Kimani Vidal on the roster and Jaret Patterson on the practice squad.
With Samuel out the secondary lacks significant depth. Nickel corner Ja’Sir Taylor has also been ruled out. Last week, rookie Tarheeb Still got the nod to take Taylor’s spot in the slot and will likely due the same this week.
Samuel hasn’t missed time since his rookie season. Replacing the team’s top cornerback may prove to be more difficult than Still stepping in for Taylor. The next man up appears to be rookie fifth-rounder, Cam Hart. The secondary may be even more short-handed with both Deane Leonard and Kristian Fulton listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
The Chargers do get some relief as Joe Alt, Denzel Perryman, Daiyan Henley, and Hayden Hurst have all been clear to play. Justin Herbert was also a full participant in practice for the first time in weeks.