Injury Updates Impacting the Los Angeles Chargers' Lineup

As the Los Angeles Chargers push for a late-season playoff surge, a series of recent injury updates has forced significant changes to their lineup—testing the team’s depth and reshaping their on-field strategy. With three games left in the regular season, the Chargers (6-7) are currently two games out of the AFC wild-card spots, and injuries to key contributors on both offense and defense have added urgency to their playoff pursuit. From a star quarterback’s shoulder soreness to a starting linebacker’s knee sprain, these updates aren’t just about individual players; they’re about how the Chargers adapt to keep their season alive. Injury Updates Impacting the Los Angeles Chargers' Lineup explores the most critical injury news, the players stepping into new roles, and the tactical adjustments coaches are making to mitigate these losses. For a team that has struggled with consistency all season, navigating these injuries could mean the difference between a playoff berth and a premature end to their campaign.

Injury Updates Impacting the Los Angeles Chargers' Lineup begins with the most impactful news: starting quarterback Justin Herbert has been listed as “questionable” for Week 15 against the Denver Broncos due to a lingering shoulder injury. Herbert, who has started every game for the Chargers since 2020, first felt soreness after a Week 13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was sacked four times. An MRI revealed no structural damage, but team doctors have limited his practice reps to protect the shoulder, and backup Easton Stick has taken first-team snaps in preparation for a potential start. Herbert’s absence would be a massive blow: he’s thrown for 3,800 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions this season, and his ability to extend plays with his legs has been a key part of the Chargers’ offense. “Justin is our leader, and we hope he can go, but we have to be prepared for every scenario,” head coach Brandon Staley said. “Easton has been working hard behind the scenes, and he’s ready to step up if needed.” Stick, a fourth-year player, has only started one NFL game (a 2022 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders), but he’s familiar with the Chargers’ playbook and has shown promise in limited action this season.

A second major injury update, highlighted in Injury Updates Impacting the Los Angeles Chargers' Lineup, involves the defensive side: starting middle linebacker Eric Kendricks has been ruled out for at least two games with a knee sprain suffered in Week 14 against the New England Patriots. Kendricks, who signed with the Chargers in free agency this off-season, has been a defensive anchor—leading the team with 112 tackles, adding 2 sacks, and recording 1 interception. His ability to read plays and communicate with the secondary has been critical to the Chargers’ defense, which ranks 12th in the NFL in total yards allowed. To replace Kendricks, the Chargers will turn to Drue Tranquill, a fifth-year linebacker who has primarily played in a reserve role this season. Tranquill has 45 tackles and 1 sack in 13 games, but he lacks Kendricks’ experience in calling defensive plays—a gap the Chargers hope to fill with extra practice time for the linebacking corps. “Eric does so much for us, on and off the field,” defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley said. “Drue is a talented player, but we’re adjusting our calls to play to his strengths—like his speed in pass coverage—instead of asking him to do everything Eric did. It’s about putting our guys in positions to succeed.”

Injury Updates Impacting the Los Angeles Chargers' Lineup also delves into the ripple effects of these injuries on the Chargers’ offensive game plan—specifically, how a potential Herbert absence would shift their approach. If Stick starts, the Chargers are expected to lean more heavily on their running game, which features Austin Ekeler (750 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns) and Joshua Kelley (420 rushing yards). The offensive line, which has already been reshuffled due to a Week 12 ankle injury to left tackle Rashawn Slater (now back in the lineup), will focus on limiting sacks to protect Stick, who is less mobile than Herbert. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has also hinted at simplifying the playbook, using more short passes and screen plays to get the ball to playmakers like wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams quickly. For the Los Angeles Chargers, this shift isn’t just about surviving without Herbert—it’s about finding a way to keep the offense consistent enough to support a defense that’s already dealing with its own injuries. “We have to be realistic about what we can do if Easton starts,” Moore said. “We’re not going to ask him to be Justin, but we are going to put him in situations where he can make plays. Our running game and our receivers have to step up, and our line has to keep him clean.”

Another layer of the injury impact, explored in Injury Updates Impacting the Los Angeles Chargers' Lineup, is the strain on the team’s depth—especially in the secondary, where two reserve defensive backs have also been sidelined. Backup cornerback Michael Davis (hamstring) and safety Alohi Gilman (quad) are both listed as “doubtful” for Week 15, leaving the Chargers with just five healthy cornerbacks and four healthy safeties. This lack of depth could force the Chargers to use nickel and dime packages less frequently, even against pass-heavy offenses like the Broncos’—which relies on quarterback Russell Wilson’s deep passing to Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. To compensate, the Chargers have elevated cornerback Tay Gowan from the practice squad, a player who has only appeared in three NFL games. “Depth is something we’ve prided ourselves on, but these injuries are testing that,” Ansley said. “Tay has been working hard in practice, and we have confidence in him, but it’s not ideal to have a practice squad player stepping into a key role against a team like Denver.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, this secondary depth issue underscores a larger problem: the team has already used 12 different defensive backs this season due to injuries, leading to inconsistent communication and coverage lapses. “We’re doing our best to get everyone on the same page, but it’s tough when you’re rotating new guys in every week,” safety Derwin James Jr. said. “We have to trust each other, even if we haven’t played together much.”

Looking at how the Chargers are preparing for these lineup changes, Injury Updates Impacting the Los Angeles Chargers' Lineup examines the team’s practice structure this week. Coaches have added extra walkthroughs to focus on new personnel groupings, and position coaches have held one-on-one sessions with players taking on expanded roles—like Tranquill working with linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite to refine his play-calling responsibilities. The team has also brought in former Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers to meet with Stick, offering advice on handling the pressure of a potential start. “We’re leaving no stone unturned,” Staley said. “Injuries are part of the NFL, but how you respond to them defines your team. We’re not making excuses—we’re getting ready to compete.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, this preparation is about more than just one game; it’s about building momentum for the final two weeks of the season, where they face the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders. “Every game from here on out is a must-win,” Allen said. “We know the injuries are tough, but we have the talent to overcome them. We just have to play together.”

Injury Updates Impacting the Los Angeles Chargers' Lineup concludes with a balanced outlook: the Chargers face significant challenges due to these injuries, but they also have an opportunity to prove their resilience. Herbert’s potential return (even in a limited role) could stabilize the offense, while Tranquill and Gowan have a chance to showcase their talent and earn more playing time. For a team that has often underperformed expectations this season, navigating these injuries successfully could be the catalyst for a late playoff push. “We’re in a tough spot, but we’re not out of it,” Staley said. “Our guys have fought hard all season, and this is just another test. We’re going to embrace it.” In the end, Injury Updates Impacting the Los Angeles Chargers' Lineup isn’t just a story about injuries—it’s a story about adaptation. The Chargers’ ability to adjust their lineup, their strategy, and their mindset will determine whether their season ends in disappointment or with a surprising playoff run.