Mickens (shoulder) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
Mickens injured his shoulder during the Chargers' Week 15 win over the Chiefs. Per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters Wednesday that Mickens "could miss time" due to his injury. If both Mickens and Elijah Molden (hamstring) are unable to play Sunday against the Cowboys, then Tony Jefferson would be slated for another start at safety alongside Derwin James.
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Chargers' Bud Dupree: Limited to open week
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Dupree (back) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.
Dupree may have suffered a back injury in the team's 16-13 win over the Chiefs in Week 15, forcing him to be limited to open the week at practice. The linebacker will have two more chances to return to practice prior to Sunday's matchup with the Cowboys.
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Chargers' Scott Matlock: Records two catches in Week 15
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Matlock played 36 of the Chargers' 66 snaps on offense and recorded two catches for nine yards in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Chiefs.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds, Matlock began his career as a defensive lineman but has played primarily as a fullback since Jim Harbaugh took over as the Chargers' head coach in 2024. He's typically been deployed mainly as a lead blocker and pass protector, but Matlock ended up seeing a couple of short-yardage targets from quarterback Justin Herbert in Sunday's win. Matlock's last reception had come back in Week 9, when he hauled in a two-yard pass for his first NFL touchdown in a 27-20 win over the Titans.
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Chargers' RJ Mickens: Could miss time
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Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters that Mickens (shoulder) won't practice Wednesday and "could miss time," Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
The rookie safety from Clemson exited the Week 15 win over the Chiefs with a shoulder injury, and it appears that issue could sideline him further. Mickens' practice participation Thursday and Friday will likely provide the best indication of whether he can suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.
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Chargers' Tuli Tuipulotu: Two more sacks in victory
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Tuipulotu recorded four tackles (four solo), including 2.0 sacks, in the Chargers' win over the Chiefs on Sunday.
It's been a true breakout season for Tuipulotu, who was the 54th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. He sacked Patrick Mahomes (knee) twice in the first half Sunday and has now produced 43 tackles (32 solo), including a career-high 12.0 sacks, 21 QB hits, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles on 76 percent of the Chargers' defensive snaps across 14 games this season. Only Myles Garrett (21.5), Brian Burns (13.0), Micah Parsons (12.5) and Nik Bonitto (12.5) have logged more sacks this season.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Productive in win over Kansas City
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James recorded 10 tackles (two solo) and two pass breakups, including one interception, in the Chargers' win over the Chiefs on Sunday.
James played all 61 defensive snaps for Los Angeles, and his 10 tackles were the veteran safety's second-most in a game this season. He also recorded his second interception by picking off Gardner Minshew with 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter to seal the victory for the Chargers. On the season, James has logged 80 tackles (41 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and six pass breakups, including the pair of interceptions, on 93 percent of the defensive snaps.
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Chargers' Troy Dye: Active for Week 15
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Dye (hip) is active for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Dye was working through a hip issue during Week 15 prep, but he's been cleared to play Sunday after going through pregame warmups. The sixth-year linebacker has 51 tackles (24 solo), including 1.0 sacks, two pass defenses, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery through 12 regular-season games.
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Chargers' Elijah Molden: Inactive for Week 15
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Molden (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Molden was unable to practice all week due to a hamstring injury he sustained in Week 14 against the Eagles. He'll be sidelined for Sunday's game, which opens the door for Tony Jefferson to start at safety. Molden will aim to return for the Chargers' Week 16 tilt against the Cowboys on Sunday, Dec. 21.
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Chargers' Elijah Molden: Likely out for Sunday
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Molden (hamstring) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chiefs, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
The 26-year-old didn't practice all week after sustaining a hamstring injury in the Week 14 win over the Eagles. Molden is an important piece of the Chargers' secondary, recording 46 total tackles through 10 appearances this season. If he's sidelined as expected Sunday, Tony Jefferson will likely start at free safety.
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Chargers' Elijah Molden: Misses practice Wednesday
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Molden (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Molden suffered a hamstring injury during Monday's win over the Eagles and was forced off the field early, so it's little surprise to see him sidelined at practice. The starting safety will have two more chance to get in at least limited on-field reps ahead of Sunday's road matchup against the Chiefs.
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Chargers' Tony Jefferson: Gets another pick Monday
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Jefferson recorded five tackles (five solo) and an interception during Monday's 22-19 win versus the Eagles.
Jefferson recorded an interception for the second straight game in Week 14, this time catching a red-zone pass that was tipped up by 2024 fifth-rounder Cam Hart to clinch a Chargers win in overtime. His role in Week 15 at Kansas City may largely depend on the health of teammate Elijah Molden (hamstring).
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Chargers' Da'Shawn Hand: Records first career interception
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Hand recorded two tackles (one solo) and an interception during Monday's 22-19 win versus the Eagles.
Hand fooled quarterback Jalen Hurts by dropping back from the line of scrimmage into coverage in the middle of the second quarter, and the short pass ended up being thrown straight to him. The ball was punched out of his hands on the return and subsequently recovered by Hurts, who then coughed it up for linebacker Troy Dye to recover. Hand will be looking to cause more chaos in a Week 15 matchup against a pass-dependent Kansas City offense.
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Texans' Naquan Jones: Claimed by Houston
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Jones was claimed off waivers by the Texans on Tuesday.
Jones was let go by the Chargers on Monday, and he has now almost instantly found a new suitor in Houston. The defensive lineman has compiled 10 total tackles (six solo) and a pass defensed over eight contests this season with Los Angeles, and he'll provide the Texans with an additional depth option behind Mario Edwards and Sheldon Rankins moving forward.
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Chargers' Elijah Molden: Done for Week 14
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Molden (hamstring) has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's contest against the Eagles, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Molden suffered a hamstring injury in the first half and was ruled out during the third quarter. Tarheeb Still is getting work as the slot corner while Derwin James has slid over to safety in Molden's stead. Molden will look to get well ahead of next Sunday's clash against Kansas City.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Leaves game with head injury
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James is being evaluated for a head injury and is questionable to return to Monday's game against the Eagles.
James sustained a head injury in the second quarter, and he's being evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return to Monday's game. Tarheeb Still is slated for more defensive snaps in the secondary for as long as James is out of the game.
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Chargers' Otito Ogbonnia: Activated from IR, playing Monday
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The Chargers activated Ogbonnia (elbow) from injured reserve, and he is active for Monday night's game against the Eagles, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Ogbonnia has been officially cleared to return Monday from a five-game absence due to an elbow injury, and he'll join Scott Matlock as the Chargers' rotational options at defensive end behind starters Justin Eboigbe and Da'Shawn Hand. Ogbonnia logged one solo tackle across the four regular-season games prior to his placement on IR in late October.
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Chargers' Otito Ogbonnia: Questionable for Monday
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Ogbonnia (elbow) is questionable for Monday's game versus the Eagles.
The Chargers designated Ogbonnia to return to practice Nov. 29 after he missed the last five games with an elbow injury. Though he has not been officially activated off injured reserve, the 25-year-old was able to string together multiple full practices, giving him the potential to play in Week 14 against the Eagles.
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Chargers' Otito Ogbonnia: Eying return from IR
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Ogbonnia (elbow) was a full participant in Friday's practice.
Ogbonnia was designated to return to practice Nov 29, and his two full practice sessions this week create a three-consecutive-practice string that bodes well for his Monday availability. The defensive end has the potential to play his first game since the single snap he logged before suffering the injury in the Chargers' Week 7 loss to the Colts.
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Chargers' Da'Shawn Hand: Upgrades to full participation
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Hand (illness) was a full participant in Friday's practice.
Hand missed Thursday's session due to an illness, but the defensive end's immune system seems to have fought back enough for him to immediately upgrade to a full participant Friday. The quick return to total participation means that the starter is likely good to go for Monday's contest with the Eagles, and he will have one more practice to exhibit his health before the game.
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Chargers' Da'Shawn Hand: Sidelined Thursday
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Hand (illness) didn't practice Thursday.
The 30-year-old likely needs to upgrade to at least a limited practice Friday or Saturday in order to play in the Week 14 matchup against the Eagles on Monday night. If Hand is unable to go, Naquan Jones is likely to have an expanded role on the Chargers' defensive line.
