Chargers fighting injury bug

The opponents Monday night are a combined 4-11.

Still, Bears tackle Kyle Long called the game at the Chargers a big one.

“I’m really excited to see how this team responds to playing under the lights in front of the national, international stage,” he said. “All of our colleagues will be watching.”

As the Bears work to impress them, here are three things they’ll be watching:

An injury-depleted team. Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, the AFC leader in receptions, was put on injured reserve after suffering a lacerated kidney Sunday. Two other Chargers also were lost for the year.

An astounding 12 players left the game against the Ravens. Former Pro Bowl player Eric Weddle and former Notre Dame star Manti Te’o were inactive, too. Safety Weddle (groin) won’t play Monday unless he can practice first.

◆ A red-hot Philip Rivers. The quarterback has thrown for at least 300 yards in each of his last five games, totaling 13 touchdowns and three interceptions. Yet the Chargers are 1-4. He’s on pace to throw for 5,506 yards, about 800 more than his career high.

◆ A rookie in transition. The Chargers traded up to draft Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon. He has 382 yards on 103 carries, 18 catches for 93 yards and four fumbles. He also has yet to score.

“He played in the ‘I’ more often than not [in college], and we’re playing more in the shotgun with things,” coach Mike McCoy told reporters in San Diego. “But he’ll get better and better every week.”