Chargers announce final game designations for several injured players heading into matchup vs. Patriots

The Los Angeles Chargers have several starters battling through injuries heading into their Week 17 matchup against the New England Patriots. Let's take a look at the final game designations on the Chargers' injury report. PlayerInjuryGame DesignationRB Gus EdwardsAnkleOutRG Trey Pipkins IIIHipOutLB Denzel PerrymanGroinOutRB J.K. DobbinsKneeQuestionableTE Will DisslyShoulderQuestionableTE Hayden HurstIllnessQuestionableS Elijah MoldenKneeQuestionable The Chargers are […]

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Chargers running back Gus Edwards (4) takes a hand off from quarterback Justin Herbert (10) and runs for a touchdown against the Broncos.
© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Chargers have several starters battling through injuries heading into their Week 17 matchup against the New England Patriots.

Let's take a look at the final game designations on the Chargers' injury report.

PlayerInjuryGame Designation

RB Gus Edwards

Ankle

Out

RG Trey Pipkins III

Hip

Out

LB Denzel Perryman

Groin

Out

RB J.K. Dobbins

Knee

Questionable

TE Will Dissly

Shoulder

Questionable

TE Hayden Hurst

Illness

Questionable

S Elijah Molden

Knee

Questionable

The Chargers are facing the possibility of being down their top two running backs in Dobbins and Edwards. Dobbins has been on injured reserve with a knee sprain since late November. His 21-day practice window was opened on Monday, and he logged two limited practices this week.

Dobbins was one of the most productive backs in the NFL before going down, rushing for 766 rushing yards on 158 attempts and eight touchdowns. His return would give Los Angeles' offense a huge boost, especially with Edwards out. Edwards suffered an ankle injury during the Chargers' loss to the Denver Broncos last week.

Pipkins was also injured against the Broncos (hip) and did not practice this week. Jamaree Salyer will likely be the next man up in Pipkins' absence. On the defensive side, Perryman is out after aggravating a groin injury against Denver that he has been dealing with, and he also sat out practice this past week.

Molden missed last week's game with a knee injury, but was able to practice this week, albeit as limited. Molden will likely be a game-time decision. The Chargers are already down Marcus Maye at safety, who was placed on injured reserve on Monday. The newly signed Tony Jefferson could get the start if Molden can't go. 

Dissly has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury, but returned to practice this week and will have a chance to make his return. His backup, Hurst, returned from a hip injury last week that cost him five games. Now he is battling an illness and will likely be a game-time decision based on how he is feeling that morning.

The Chargers currently hold the No. 6 seed in the AFC with a 9-6 record. They'll need to keep winning with the 9-6 Broncos hot on their heels, but they do own the tiebreaker over Denver as they swept the season series against them. If L.A. wins out and the Pittsburgh Steelers lose their Week 18 game to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Chargers will finish as the No. 5 seed.