Minor Injuries Could Cripple Chargers Offensive Progress

The Los Angeles Chargers made the bed that they are now sleeping in. The Chargers made the bet that they could build an offense without very many offensive weapons, particularly with their pass catchers. So what happens when some of the playmakers they do have on the roster get hurt?

We shall see on Monday Night against the Arizona Cardinals.

Chargers Top Receivers Are All On Injury Report

Of the team’s six most productive receivers, all but one were listed on the injury report. The lone healthy Chargers pass catcher is Josh Palmer. The rest are as follows

• Ladd McConkey, WR Hip LP
• Quentin Johnston, WR Ankle DNP
• Will Dissly, TE Shoulder LP
• Simi Fehoko, WR Shoulder/Groin LP
• Hayden Hurst, TE Groin DNP

The team’s lone wide receiver free agent pickup, DJ Chark is designated to return from his stint on the injured/reserver, but he was also listed on the injury report as limited with a groin injury.

It is unlikely that all these players will miss the Cardinals game, but the Chargers offense has already been suspect in the passing game.

Heading into Week 6, Herbert had completed just three of his 11 throws of 20 air yards or more. That is a 27.3 completion percentage, the lowest mark of his career. In fact he isn’t getting much help on intermediate depth passes either. His completion percentage on throws between 10 and 19 air yards was just 35.7 percent, 32nd among starting quarterbacks.

Chargers receivers are 23rd in separation, 28th in contested catch rate, and dead last in FTN’s Created Catches statistic. They also haven’t done much when they do have the ball in their hands. They are 22nd in yards after the catch.

Last week against the Denver Broncos saw some improvement. Herbert had the best game of his season, but it was the 45th most passing yards in his career, which is closer to the bottom than the top of his 72 games played.

Other than Palmer, the Chargers have Derius Davis and Brenden Rice on the roster at wide receiver. They also have Dez Fitzpatrick and former first-round draft pick, Jalen Reagor on the practice squad.

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