Jim Harbaugh Gives Updates on Several Injured Chargers Players

At 0-5, the Los Angeles Chargers are looking like more of a train wreck with each passing game. On Sunday, they blew a 17-10 lead in the fourth quarter against a Denver Broncos team that has some issues itself and lost 23-17 after some miscues and poor decision-making down the stretch.

They were short-handed for this contest, as starting offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, starting left guard Kayode Awosika, backup guard/tackle Trey Pipkins III, third-string guard Trevor Penning and safety Derwin James Jr., among others, were out of action due to injury. During the game, wide receiver Tre’ Harris left with a bad hamstring, and while wideout Ladd McConkey was available despite a foot injury, he didn’t get onto the field.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh gave updates on several of his injured men, and many of the updates weren’t optimistic.

Los Angeles will still be banged up for Week 6

Per Anthony Gharib of ESPN, Harbaugh said that Alt, who has a neck injury, is still undergoing testing by a specialist. Harris, as well as cornerback Donte Jackson, who also has a hamstring ailment, are week-to-week.

Slater is on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain, and the earliest he’ll be eligible to return is Week 10 versus the Baltimore Ravens. Pipkins (knee) and Penning (concussion) are also on injured reserve, as is veteran tight end David Njoku (fibula).

However, Harbaugh did say that McConkey, who is L.A.’s top option in its passing game, will be worked into practice this week, as will wideout Brenen Thompson. Johnston, according to Harbaugh, will “probably” be limited in practice this week.

With their offensive line so depleted, the Chargers have been unable to buy enough time for quarterback Justin Herbert to get comfortable in the pocket and go through his progressions. He went 14 of 24 for just 121 yards and was sacked five times in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos, and he’s tied with the New England Patriots’ Drake Maye for the most interceptions this season (seven).

L.A. will visit the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday before its Week 7 bye mercifully arrives. After its bye, it will face the Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens over the following three weeks.