D-line becomes latest Chargers position plagued by injuries

Updated Nov. 14, 2022 7:20 p.m. ET

Associated Press

Just when Brandon Staley and the Los Angeles Chargers thought things couldn’t get worse with injuries, along came the loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night when the defensive line became the latest group to be decimated.

Otito Ogbonnia hurt a knee and Christian Covington suffered a pectoral injury during the 22-16 loss that dropped the Chargers to 5-4.

Los Angeles was down to only three defensive linemen during the fourth quarter as the Niners scored the go-ahead touchdown on Christian McCaffrey’s 2-yard run with 7:54 remaining.

Los Angeles has had difficulty stopping the run this season, even at close to full strength. With top run-stopper Austin Johnson lost for the year with a knee injury last week and the release of 2019 first-round pick Jerry Tillery, the Chargers went into the game already thin on the defensive line.

Add in the two injuries that happened during the game, and San Francisco was able to dominate the line of scrimmage.

Two of the three Niners’ scoring drives in the second half were at least 12 plays and they had the ball for 21:38. San Francisco had 106 of its 157 rushing yards after halftime.

The Chargers’ offense — down their top two receivers and a right tackle — didn’t help with only three first downs and 62 yards on five second-half drives.

Justin Herbert passed for 196 yards, the fourth-lowest total of his three-year career.

“In the second half, we had to play a lot of plays," Staley said. "There were a couple of third downs in there that were tough, that we missed a tackle, were tight in coverage, and they made a couple of good throws and catches.”

Los Angeles enters Sunday’s game against Kansas City allowing 5.39 yards per carry, one of the highest in the league.

With Staley and general manager Tom Telesco likely to make moves to shore up the defensive line, the rest of the locker room and coaches will not use injuries as an excuse. They nearly bristle at being asked if coming close on the road should count as a moral victory.

“If you’re on the field, you’re getting paid to play. You have to step up and make your plays,” running back Austin Ekeler said. “We got some of our guys that are down, but that doesn’t matter. The opponent doesn’t care. We have to play hard, but we also have to make plays. We can’t just do the minimum.”

WHAT’S WORKING

The kicking game. Cameron Dicker — the team’s third kicker this season after injuries to Dustin Hopkins and Taylor Bertolet — was 3 for 3 on field goals and has made all five the past two games. The Chargers have made 16 straight field goals and 17 of 18 on the season.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

Getting off the field on third down. The Chargers were the worst in the league when stopping teams on third down last season. After doing a solid job the first six games, opponents are 19 of 37 on third down the past three games, which is the fifth-highest conversion rate. San Francisco was 9 of 17, including 3 of 4 on third downs of 7 yards or more.

STOCK UP

DeAndre Carter has nine receptions for 117 yards in the past two games. Carter beat 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga on a corner route for a 32-yard touchdown during Sunday’s opening drive.

STOCK DOWN

The right side of the offensive line. Right guard Zion Johnson and right tackle Foster Sarell allowed a combined two sacks, two quarterback hits, and eight QB pressures. Sarell got the start in place of the injured Trey Pipkins.

INJURIES

TE Gerald Everett (groin) is likely to be questionable after being injured in the first half. ... Staley remains hopeful WR Mike Williams (ankle) can return to the practice field.

KEY NUMBERS

24 — Dropped passes by Chargers receivers, according to Sportradar, which is among the league leaders. They had three against San Francisco, including one by tight end Tre McKitty during the second quarter that might have gone for a 35-yard touchdown and extended the Bolts’ lead to 17-3.

NEXT STEPS

If the Chargers have any hopes of getting back into the AFC West division race, they need to defeat Kansas City this week. The Chargers have not won at home against the Chiefs since 2013 and have dropped the past two in overtime.

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