Chargers banged up, on 9-game losing skid as they face Raiders
The Los Angeles Chargers will be without offensive right tackle Bryan Bulaga for tonight’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Bulaga suffered a concussion during the first quarter last Sunday against Atlanta and remains in concussion protocol. The 11-year veteran was one of the team’s big signings during free agency, but will miss his fifth game because of various injuries.
Storm Norton is likely to start in Bulaga’s place. Los Angeles also ruled out linebacker Emeke Egbule because of illness.
Safety Nasir Adderley (shoulder) and linebacker Denzel Perr yman ( back) are doubtful while wide receivers Keenan Allen ( hamstring) and Mike Williams ( back), running back Austin Ekeler (quadricep) and defensive end Uchenna Nwosu ( back, shoulder) were designated as questionable.
The Chargers (4-9) go into today’s game with nine straight losses in AFC West games. SAINTS QB BREES MIGHT PLAY AS EARLY AS SUNDAY >> New Orleans Saints record-setting quarterback Drew Brees was designated to return from the club’s injured reserve list.
Brees’ change in status means he could be placed on the active roster and eligible to play as soon Sunday against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Coach Sean Payton has not indicated when he intends to play Brees, who was diagnosed with fractured ribs and a punctured lung after a sack on Nov. 15 this week.
“He’s someone we’re not going to just hurry back and just put him in the game,” Payton said.
Brees may practice with the Saints up to 21 days before the club has to activate him. He has missed four games, with Taysom Hill starting in his place. New Orleans has gone 3-1 with Hill under cen
ter, the first loss coming last Sunday at Philadelphia.
OWNERS PUT OFF DECISION ON 17-GAME SEASON >> NFL owners delayed a decision on implementing a 17-game regular season for 2021. During a teleconference call that replaced the usual December gathering of owners in Dallas, they opted to push back any move on the expanded season until early in 2021. The NFL and the players’ union agreed during collective bargaining talks earlier this year to adding one regular-season game to the schedule, but not before next season.
RAVENS PLACE THREE RECEIVERS ON COVID-19 LIST >> The Baltimore Ravens placed receivers Marquise Brown, Mile Boykin and James Proche on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The status of the three players for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville was uncertain.
LIONS CENTER SAID TO HAVE
PLAYED WITH FRACTURED THROAT >> Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow told teammates he couldn’t talk because of an injury and continued playing against the Green Bay Packers.
Lions quarterback Chase Daniel said that Ragnow played with a fractured throat. Daniel said the team didn’t miss a beat even though Ragnow could not make calls on the line in a 31-24 loss to Green Bay.
Ragnow did not practice Wednesday because of a throat injury, according to the team’s practice report.
GIANTS QB JONES NURSING TWO INJURIES >> New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is dealing with two injuries and his status for Sunday night’s big game against Cleveland is uncertain.
Coach Joe Judge disclosed that the second-year quarterback has an injury to his lower left leg injury in addition to a hamstring problem.
Jones, who practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, said the ankle injury happened Sunday in a 26-7 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on a quarterback hit. He added the hamstring problem did not either cause or contribute to the injury to his left ankle.
JAGUARSTOGOWITHMINSHEW AT QB >> Jacksonville coach Doug Marrone switched to quarterback Gardner Minshew for the third time in two seasons this week, naming Minshew the starter for Sunday’s game at Baltimore.
The latest move has little chance of being permanent. The Jaguars (1-12) are a virtual lock to take a quarterback with their first pick in the 2021 draft.
WASHINGTON UNDECIDED ON QB >> Alex Smith’s right calf injury kept him out of practice for Washington and coach Ron Rivera said he’d be OK with waiting until just before the team’s next game before deciding who to start at quarterback. The team said Dwayne Haskins took snaps with the first-team offense during a practice held indoors and closed to the media.
BENGALS DT ATKINS GOES ON IR >> The Cincinnati Bengals put defensive tackle Geno Atkins on injured reserve with a right shoulder injury.
REWARDING THE FRONT LINE >> NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league plans to invite vaccinated health care workers to the Super Bowl as guests of the league.