The Los Angeles Chargers suffered a tough injury-related loss in their playoff spot-clinching win over the New England Patriots. Safety Elijah Molden left the game partway through, due to what has been confirmed to be a broken fibula.
Alohi Gilman Set To Return To Chargers Roster
It was also announced on Monday that they would be opening the injured reserve return window of fellow safety, Alohi Gilman. Gilman has been on the IR since Week 12, dealing with a hamstring injury. When available, he has played nearly all of the Chargers snaps on defense. They will now have 21 days to activate Gilman.
The secondary has suffered the most cumulated losses due to injury among any Chargers position group this season. Asante Samuel has been injured reserve since the bye in Week 5. Safety Marcus Maye and cornerback Eli Apple have also been on the IR for the last few weeks as well.
These injuries have forced the team to rely on rookie fifth-rounders, Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart. Both are within the top 20 snaps played among rookie cornerbacks.
Not only that but the injuries have limited the team’s ability to use Derwin James as the versatile chess piece, where he can be his most impactful.
They also added eight-season veteran safety, former Chicago Bears, Eddie Jackson.
Gilman combined for 47 tackles including one for loss, one interception, and four passes defended. In coverage, he has forced a career-best 84.5 NFL passer rating.
They have one remaining IR return slot available to them before the playoffs start. At that point, they will get two more openings to bring back an injured player from IR.