The Chargers defend home turf against a booming Indianapolis Colts offense

Roughly a quarter of the way into the season, the Chargers are clearly one of the most banged-up and bruised teams in the league. Numerous injuries to offensive and defensive pieces have definitely slowed down the early-season momentum that put the rest of the league on notice, though Herbert and co. still have plenty of fight left in them, and will do anything to come out on top, as we saw last week in the 29-27 win against the Miami Dolphins. 

This week, the Bolts will see a visiting 5-1 Indianapolis Colts squad at SoFi Stadium, a team that has continued to dominate in their own right, boasting a fantastic spread offense featuring the newly revitalized QB Daniel Jones, the explosive RB Jonathan Taylor, and the emerging rookie TE, Tyler Warren. 

But they are not without plenty of injuries of their own. Currently, on the Colts’ injury report are a plethora of core pieces that could be sidelined for Sunday’s match. These injuries include CB Kenny Moore II (questionable, Achilles), RB Tyler Goodson (questionable, groin), CB Charvarius Ward (out, concussion), WR Josh Downs (out, concussion), and CB Mike Hilton (out, shoulder). 

With such a weakened secondary against the Chargers, Herbert should be able to get the chemistry rolling with the pass game, especially with one of the best trios of receivers in the league in Keenan Allen, Ladd McConkey, and Quentin Johnston.

The Chargers’ run game is where things get a bit shaky, since rookie RB Omarion Hampton will continue to sit out of the action. In the meantime, back-up RB Kimani Vidal has done a great job in his place, and is expected to orchestrate the run-heavy offense once more. 

​Aside from Hampton sitting out, the Chargers injury report includes G Jamaree Salyer (questionable, knee), OT Joe Alt (doubtful, ankle), G Trey Pipkins III (out, knee), RB Hassan Haskins (questionable, chest), CB Elijah Molden ((doubtful, thumb), WR Derius Davis (questionable, knee), LB Troy Dye (questionable, thumb), LB Khalil Mack (injury reserve, elbow), and LB Denzel Perryman (injury reserve, ankle). It will be yet another uphill battle demanding the very best efforts from the next man up. 

Both teams are potentially missing secondary pieces, plus two strong-armed QBs in spread offenses, which equals a promising recipe for an extremely fun shootout. We should see a high-scoring game with back-and-forth big-time plays, and as a football fan, nothing could be more exciting to watch. 

​Both teams currently sit in the top spots in their respective divisions, and certainly plan to continue doing so. Will the Chargers improve to 5-2? Find out this Sunday at a matinee showing.

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