The Los Angeles Chargers have dealt with injuries all season long. Ever since Rashawn Slater ruptured his patellar tendon in the preseason, it feels like another key player is limited every week. Another massive injury update was announced today, but it isn’t about Justin Herbert, Omarion Hampton, or any of the Chargers’ offensive linemen. This time, it’s about a crucial player on the opposing team.
Jalen Carter, the Philadelphia Eagles’ star defensive lineman, will miss this week’s matchup against the Chargers on Monday Night Football. ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news earlier today.
“Sources: Eagles DT Jalen Carter is out for Monday night’s game vs. the Chargers after undergoing a procedure this past Monday on both his shoulders,” Schefter tweeted. “Carter now is undergoing treatment on both shoulders, and he will be considered be week to week to return. Carter wanted to be as close to 100% as possible for the playoff run.”
Where the Chargers Stand in the Playoff Race
The Chargers (8-4) would make the Wild Card and be the fifth seed in the AFC if the playoffs started today. However, they have a difficult schedule to close out the season. Every one of their final five games is against teams that are .500 or better, and three out of five matchups are on the road.
- Week 14 vs. the Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
- Week 15 at the Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
- Week 16 at the Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
- Week 17 vs. the Houston Texans (7-5)
- Week 18 at the Denver Broncos (10-2)
Two of those teams, the Chiefs and Texans, are just behind the Chargers in the Wild Card race. For Los Angeles, even the smallest edge, like the Eagles losing Carter, could make the difference between making or missing the playoffs.
What Carter’s Absence Means for Los Angeles
Jalen Carter’s stats so far this season belie his impact. The 24-year-old DT has just two sacks and four tackles for loss in 10 games for Philadelphia. Numbers aside, he’s one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, equally skilled at blowing up run plays and rushing the quarterback. As a result, Carter was selected to the Pro Bowl and as a second-team All-Pro in 2024.
Carter’s game-wrecking ability could have been particularly potent against the Chargers’ offensive line, which has become the team’s biggest weakness after the losses of Slater and fellow tackle Joe Alt. Los Angeles has surrendered 40 sacks this season, tied for sixth-most in the league.
Carter’s absence could provide a banged-up Justin Herbert the extra split-second needed to connect downfield. It could also spell bigger games for running backs Kimani Vidal and Omarion Hampton, if he’s cleared to play.
The Eagles surrendered an astronomical 281 yards on the ground in Week 13 against the Chicago Bears. And that was with Jalen Carter. The Chargers could look to replicate the Bears’ two-running back attack if the Vidal-Hampton combo is ready to debut.
Status on Herbert, Hampton Injuries
Chargers fans have been monitoring the injury statuses of two key players this week: Justin Herbert and Omarion Hampton.
LA’s franchise quarterback underwent surgery on Dec. 1 to stabilize a fracture in his left hand. The injury occurred in Week 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Even though Herbert has yet to practice this week, all signs point to him playing in the Monday Night Football matchup.
“Yeah, that’s the plan. To prepare as if I’m going to play,” Herbert told reporters yesterday. “We’ll see how the next couple of days go. I’ll do everything I can to be out there for the team and for the guys out there.”
Hampton’s status is less certain. The rookie running back hasn’t played since Week 5, after suffering an ankle injury. He returned to practice in Week 13 but hasn’t been cleared to play yet.
However, NFL Network’s Omar Ruiz reports that the Chargers are optimistic Hampton returns this week. Ruiz tweeted, “Jim Harbaugh says about #Chargers rookie RB Omarion Hampton, ‘he’s on track and looking good.’ When I asked Harbaugh his confidence level on whether Hampton returns Monday, he said, ‘he’s ramping up,’ & with Dr’s consultation that question will be answered throughout the week.”
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