Chargers Will Once Again Play With Key Starters Out Up Front

The Los Angeles Chargers have had a less-than-ideal start to the season as they now sit at 0-5, but it does not stop there as there are a ton of injuries that this team has to manage, with players on the injury report as well as players on injured reserve.

With that said, the Chargers are going on the road this week to take on the 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs, which will be very difficult as it is a tough environment, but additionally, as mentioned Los Angeles in a very tough spot when it comes to injuries.

On that note, ahead of the Week 6 matchup on the road against the Chiefs, the Chargers have revealed the final injury report, which has a ton of players on it for Los Angeles. So, let's take a look at the Chargers' final injury report, and in particular the players ruled out, the players who are questionable, and those who are confirmed to play.

Starting with the players ruled out, that includes offensive tackle Joe Alt (neck), guard Kayode Awosika (fibula), wide receiver Tre' Harris (hamstring), cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring), and safety Derwin James Jr. (hamstring).

Additionally, cornerback Rodney Shelly (hamstring) is doubtful, so that could mean yet another piece of the Los Angeles secondary is out for this game.

Now, looking at the players who are questionable, that group contains defensive linemen Jamaree Caldwell (knee) and Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring), outside linebacker Bud Dupree (neck/rest), linebacker Daiyan Henley (knee), and wide receivers KeAndre Lambert Smith (hamstring) and Brennan Thompson (quadricep).

Lastly, for the players who are on track to play, that includes defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (shoulder), wide receivers Ladd McConkey (foot), Quentin Johnston (chest), and Marques Valdes-Scantling (rib), tight end Charlie Kolar (forearm), outside linebacker Khalil Mack (rest), defensive back Elijah Molden (hamstring), and safety Kendall Williamson (ankle). 

Now, it is also important to note that on IR the Chargers have center Tyler Biadasz (knee-out for season), offensive tackle Rashawn Slater (ankle), guardsTrey Pipkins III (knee) and Trevor Penning (concussion), tight end David Njoku (fibula), quarterback Trey Lance (groin), linebacker Denzel Perryman (undisclosed), and full back Alec Ingold (shoulder).

When looking at this injury report, it is very clear that head coach Jim Harbaugh has his hands very full, and it will be very difficult for this team to overcome the injuries in addition to the 0-5 start.

In terms of key developments for this game, the secondary is very depleted with James, Jackson, and potentially Shelley out, and once again, the Chargers will have a lot of shuffling on the offensive line as Alt, Awosika, Penning, Slater, and Pipkins are all out for this game or have been placed on IR.

Also, the Chargers are very beat up when it comes to receivers, as Harris is out, and McConkey, Johnston, Lambert-Smith, and Thompson are working through injuries. In addition to that, at the tight end position, Kolar is not fully healthy either. So, quarterback Justin Herbert could be in a tough position when it comes to trying to get the ball to his pass catchers. 

None of this news is ideal for a Chargers team that is looking for its first win, but this is sometimes what happens in the NFL, and it is up to Los Angeles to be able to figure out a way to overcome these injuries.

So, as the Chargers head into Sunday, it will be interesting to see which of the questionable players are good to go and if Los Angeles can manage these injuries to get in a position where they can at least be within reach of the Chiefs in the fourth quarter, because if not, that could very well mean that the Chargers will drop to 0-6 and the outside noise will continue to get louder.