The Chargers are on the road for the first primetime game of the Jim Harbaugh era as the team takes on the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. Harbaugh's first primetime game back in the NFL is a bit different than most, though, as the Chargers are not the lone game on Monday night and will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+.
The Chargers are looking to carry the momentum from the team's win over the Denver Broncos last week while the Cardinals are looking to stay afloat in a deep NFC. A 2-5 record may be insurmountable in the AFC, so the Chargers could potentially beat Arizona into being a trade deadline seller.
Injuries are a big storyline heading into this game as both teams have their fair share of banged-up players. Some of whom are going to tough it out and play, others will be inactive for their respective team.
Chargers Inactives
The Chargers got some good news and bad news when it comes to the wide receiver position. Ladd McConkey, who was questionable heading into the game, is active and will play. However, Quentin Johnston, who was doubtful, will not.
The biggest name on the inactives list is none other than Joey Bosa, who has hardly played for the Chargers this season. Bosa came into the year with a injury-prone narrative around his head and him not suiting up in games does not help that narrative in the slightest.
Nothing else is surprising about the injury report. Thankfully, Kristian Fulton is healthy this week, which is huge considering Asante Samuel Jr. is on the IR.
Cardinals Inactives
It was initially unclear if Marvin Harrison Jr. would play after suffering a concussion last week. However, the Cardinals quelled those concerns by removing his injury designation late in the week.
There are no big names on the inactives list for the Cardinals for Week. Familiar face Kyzir White, who was initially listed as questionable leading into the game, will suit up against his former team on primetime.
Wide receivers DJ Chark (groin), Derius Davis (hamstring), Simi Fehoko (shoulder/groin) and Ladd McConkey (hip) were listed as questionable to play. Chark, Davis and McConkey were said to be limited participants in Saturday’s practice. Fehoko was a full participant.
Tight end Hayden Hurst (groin) and wide receiver Quentin Johnston (ankle) were listed as doubtful to play against the Cardinals. Hurst and Johnston did not participate in Saturday’s practice. Tight end Will Dissly, who began the week with a shoulder injury, was a full participant and is expected to play.
All of which begs the question: Who will Herbert throw the ball to on Sunday?
The string of injuries happened just as Herbert’s sprained right ankle is trending in the right direction. His mobility and accuracy were on display during the Chargers’ victory over the Denver Broncos last weekend, when he set season highs for completions with 21, attempts with 34 and yards with 237.
It’s possible Herbert will be without his top two targets in McConkey and Johnston. McConkey, a rookie Herbert referred to as a quarterback’s best friend because of his precise routes and sticky fingers, has a team-leading 19 receptions for 219 yards. Johnston leads the Chargers with three touchdowns.
McConkey and Johnston were injured during the Chargers’ 23-16 victory over the Broncos. McConkey caught four passes for 43 yards and Johnston caught three passes for 22 yards against Denver. Dissly also caught four passes against the Broncos, stepping up after Hurst was hurt.
If there was a ray of sunshine in Saturday’s otherwise bleak report, it was that Chark might be set to make his season debut after sitting out the season’s first five games because of injuries. The Chargers on Monday opened his 21-day window to return to practice from injured reserve.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh answered a question about an experienced player like Chark, who is in his seventh season in the NFL, adding depth to a battered and bruised wide receiver corps by speaking about the advancements made by Joshua Palmer as the season progresses.
“I would just say we like our receiver room a lot,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t have that list (of attributes) in front of me. (But) DJ is a really good player. We’ll be excited when he’s back. We’re excited about Josh Palmer and where he’s at, what he’s been doing. Big third-down conversions last week (against Denver).
“I think he’s heating up.”
Palmer has nine catches for 108 yards so far this season. He had two catches for 38 yards against the Broncos, both for third-down conversions in the first quarter. One extended a drive that led to Herbert’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Kimani Vidal. The other continued a 20-play drive that set up a field goal.
The Chargers listed outside linebacker Joey Bosa as doubtful to play Sunday because of injuries that have limited him to three games this season. His latest ailment was a hip injury that he suffered on the opening play of the Chargers’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3.
“Working through something,” Harbaugh said. “Encouraged by the progress.”
