The Monday night combatants have submitted their injury reports, and there are some notable names on both sides of the ledger. Both teams will be without some key players.
The Bears have ruled out Matt Forte and Eddie Royal, which is no surprise. SO it’s definitely Jeremy Langford starting at tailback. Against a lesser defense, he looks like he might be a top-5 running back this week. He ran very well in the preseason (especially in the game at Indianapolis).
Royal formerly played with the Chargers; would have been nice to see him get to play this opponent. But he’s definitely out. But with Royal injured, those looking for a fill-in receiver can think about Marquess Wilson. With six teams on byes, I believe Wilson is in the mix to be a top-30 receiver this week. He had a couple of games over 80 yards a few weeks back when injuries allowed him to play more.
Chicago also lists its left tackle, Jermon Bushrod, as questionable with a shoulder injury. Bushrod was able to do limited work in practice all week, so chances are he’ll be able to go.
For San Diego, I believe it’s safe at this point to simply rule out Ladarius Green. With his ankle injury, he hasn’t practiced all week, and he’s doubtful on the injury report. When he’s healthy, I think he’ll be a top-10 tight end in a lot of the remaining weeks (though actually lining up as more of a wide receiver), but we’ll have to put that on hold for now.
With Green hurt and Keenan Allen on injured reserve, I believe the Chargers on most downs will use Antonio Gates at tight end, with Stevie Johnson, Malcom Floyd and Dontrelle Inman as the wide receivers. Gates and Johnson, I figure, should catch a ton of passes. Floyd is more of a vertical, big-play guy.
Chicago has a poor run defense, which could signal a decent game for Melvin Gordon, but San Diego has offensive line issues. Center Chris Watt and left tackle King Dunlap are out, and guard Orlando Franklin is doubtful. Tough to image they’ll have much success with the run with all of those guys out.
CHICAGO BEARS at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
CHICAGO BEARS
OUT: RB Matt Forte (knee), WR Eddie Royal (knee)
DOUBTFUL: C Hroniss Grasu (neck)
QUESTIONABLE: T Jermon Bushrod (shoulder), CB Bryce Callahan (concussion), LB Shea McClellin (knee), LB Pernell McPhee (knee), TE Zach Miller (shoulder)
PROBABLE: WR Cameron Meredith (ankle), LB LaRoy Reynolds (knee)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Thursday RB Matt Forte (knee), C Hroniss Grasu (neck), LB Pernell McPhee (knee), WR Eddie Royal (knee)
Friday RB Matt Forte (knee), C Hroniss Grasu (neck), LB Pernell McPhee (knee), WR Eddie Royal (knee)
Saturday RB Matt Forte (knee), C Hroniss Grasu (neck), WR Eddie Royal (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday T Jermon Bushrod (shoulder), CB Bryce Callahan (concussion), LB Shea McClellin (knee), WR Cameron Meredith (ankle), LB LaRoy Reynolds (knee)
Friday T Jermon Bushrod (shoulder), CB Bryce Callahan (concussion), LB Shea McClellin (knee), WR Cameron Meredith (ankle), TE Zach Miller (shoulder), LB LaRoy Reynolds (knee)
Saturday T Jermon Bushrod (shoulder), CB Bryce Callahan (concussion), LB Shea McClellin (knee), LB Pernell McPhee (knee), TE Zach Miller (shoulder)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Saturday WR Cameron Meredith (ankle), LB LaRoy Reynolds (knee)
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
OUT: T King Dunlap (ankle), LB Denzel Perryman (biceps), LB Manti Te'o (ankle), C Chris Watt (shoulder)
DOUBTFUL: G Orlando Franklin (knee), TE Ladarius Green (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: DT Corey Liuget (foot), CB Patrick Robinson (concussion), S Darrell Stuckey (hamstring), CB Jason Verrett (groin), S Eric Weddle (groin)
PROBABLE: CB Brandon Flowers (knee), TE Antonio Gates (knee)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Thursday T King Dunlap (ankle), G Orlando Franklin (knee), TE Ladarius Green (ankle), DT Corey Liuget (foot), LB Denzel Perryman (biceps), LB Manti Te'o (ankle)
Friday T King Dunlap (ankle), G Orlando Franklin (knee), TE Ladarius Green (ankle), DT Corey Liuget (foot), LB Denzel Perryman (biceps), LB Manti Te'o (ankle), C Chris Watt (shoulder)
Saturday T King Dunlap (ankle), G Orlando Franklin (knee), TE Ladarius Green (ankle), DT Corey Liuget (foot), LB Denzel Perryman (biceps), LB Manti Te'o (ankle), C Chris Watt (shoulder)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday TE Antonio Gates (knee), S Darrell Stuckey (hamstring), CB Jason Verrett (groin), C Chris Watt (shoulder), S Eric Weddle (groin)
Friday CB Brandon Flowers (knee), TE Antonio Gates (knee), CB Jason Verrett (groin), S Eric Weddle (groin)
Saturday S Darrell Stuckey (hamstring), CB Jason Verrett (groin), S Eric Weddle (groin)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday CB Brandon Flowers (knee), CB Patrick Robinson (concussion)
Friday CB Patrick Robinson (concussion), S Darrell Stuckey (hamstring)
Saturday CB Brandon Flowers (knee), TE Antonio Gates (knee), CB Patrick Robinson (concussion)
—Ian Allan
