The Los Angeles Chargers will be without starting cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and one of their running backs, Gus Edwards, for at least the next four games. That would make them both eligible to return to the team in Week 10.
An ankle injury has hobbled Edwards and he will get the next four weeks to see if he can shake it. The case of Samuel is a little more alarming as he was a full participant in practice on Thursday and he ended up on injured reserve with a shoulder injury two days later.
In the case of Edwards, many Chargers fans could see this as a blessing in disguise. The free-agent signing has been highly ineffective for the team this season thus and his absence will open the door for the team to finally make rookie running back Kimani Vidal active.
The Chargers do also have Hassan Haskins on the roster behind J.K. Dobbins, but this seems like the perfect spot to see what the sixth-round pick Vidal can bring to the table.
The loss of Samuel is much more concerning, particularly when you consider that several other cornerbacks on the roster are also dealing with injuries. Kristian Fulton was able to practice during the week but should be able to go on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. However, Deane Leonard was limited in practice with a hamstring and Ja'Sir Taylor has already been ruled out.
Hope Asante Samuel Jr.’s shoulder situation is ok. Can’t remember the last time a Chargers player practiced in full on a Thursday and then went on IR on the following Saturday.
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) October 12, 2024
This could set up for two other rookies — Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still — to make some plays against the Broncos and going forward.
The Chargers have as many injuries to key players as any team in the NFL right now and Jim Harbaugh is going to have to find out how resourceful this team can be. After losing their last two games, the Chargers could see the season start to go off the tracks due to these injuries without good play from the players the team has to turn to.
With Edwards and Samuel going to IR, the Chargers activated linebacker Nick Niemann off injured reserve while moving safety Tony Jefferson and cornerback DeCaprio Bootle from the practice squad to the active roster.
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