The Chargers travel to Miami this Sunday looking to get their season back on track, as a win would bring LA to 4-2 and guarantee them another week atop the AFC West.
Here are a few reasons to be concerned about Jim Harbaugh’s squad getting it done.
Who’s playing on the offensive line?
Joe Alt, Trey Pipkins III, and Jamaree Salyer were all on Wednesday and Thursday’s injury report. It’s unlikely Alt (ankle) will go on Sunday, which would put Austin Deculus in line for a second consecutive start. If Pipkins is out, Salyer is the next man up at right tackle, but if he’s limited, the next choice would likely be Foster Sarell. Depending on how some of the injuries progress, LA may need one of their practice squad tackles or guards – David Sharpe, Bobby Hart, Branson Taylor, and Sam Mustipher – to suit up on Sunday. (Reserve Andre James and practice squadder Josh Kaltenberger are pure centers, so they’re locked in as depth behind a healthy Bradley Bozeman). In short, it’s going to be a motley crew on Sunday, one that the Chargers are far from finalizing yet.
Other injuries piling up
Six other Chargers were on Wednesday’s injury report, with four unable to practice and Quentin Johnston (hamstring) and Denzel Perryman (ankle) limited. Derius Davis (knee) is still not practicing, which affects the return units. Bud Dupree (hamstring) and Da’Shawn Hand (groin) did not practice up front for a Chargers group that has already struggled to stop the run or get after the quarterback. Special teamer Ja’Sir Taylor (illness) also did not practice. Add in running back Omarion Hampton going to injured reserve, and LA’s gameday roster on Sunday may look almost unrecognizable compared to the preseason depth chart.
Perimeter speed
Miami’s offense is all about speed, whether that’s running back De’Von Achane or receivers Jaylen Waddle and Malik Washington, the latter of whom is replacing Tyreek Hill. That’s not an area where the Chargers are proficient defensively – the Commanders frequently were able to beat LA to the corner and get an edge both in the run game and on crossing routes. If defensive coordinator Jesse Minter doesn’t make some fine-tune adjustments, the Dolphins offense could suddenly find some life against this Chargers unit.
Unproven safeties
LA traded Alohi Gilman to Baltimore on Tuesday, and while returning edge rusher Odafe Oweh is a potential impact player for the Chargers, it also creates a question mark on the back end of the defense. Elijah Molden is still learning to trust his athleticism after returning from a late-season leg injury and a Week 1 hamstring issue. Tony Jefferson has played well in a small sample, but now appears to be thrust into a major role with Gilman off the team. Does rookie RJ Mickens also factor in? It’s a lot of sorting out to do against a Dolphins squad that wants to attack the middle of the field.
Early East Coast start
Kickoff in Miami is at 10 am Pacific time, the dreaded early-window timeslot that the Chargers also drew in their Week 4 loss to the Giants. Los Angeles – and West Coast teams in general – tend to look lethargic when making the trip east for a morning game, which has been especially true when visiting the Dolphins. The Chargers are 1-9 in their last 10 road matchups in Miami. With how much of a procedural mess the team has already been – LA is fifth in the league in presnap penalties – an East Coast morning game seems like the last thing Los Angeles needs.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Reasons why the Chargers could lose to the Dolphins: Week 6 concerns
