Injury Report: Chargers Look For A Healthy Fluker And Flowers
By Dave Thomas
If the San Diego Chargers were in need of a game to turn their early-season fortunes around, this Sunday's home date with the Cleveland Browns may be the best solution.
After dropping back-to-back road games at Cincinnati and Minnesota in the last two weeks, the Bolts find themselves in a near must-win situation this weekend as Johnny Manziel and the Cleveland Browns pay a visit. With San Diego sitting at 1-2 and tied for last place in the AFC West Division with Kansas City, there is no time like the present for a victory.
San Diego (1-2), which opened the season with a come-from-behind 33-28 win over Detroit, have had two consecutive disappointing games to show for themselves. If the Bolts lose to Cleveland, it could spell a long season for a team that may or may not call San Diego home in 2016.
Playing A Full 60 Minutes
The biggest negative key after three games for the Chargers has been their inability to put together a full 60-minute effort.
Down 21-3 to Detroit on opening day, the Bolts ran-off 30 unanswered points to take the lead and then hold on at the end. The message here? Falling behind early nearly spelled doom for the Chargers and the home crowd.
In week two at Cincinnati, the Bolts once again got behind the eight ball as a muffed punt deep in their own end eventually led to the Bengals grabbing an early advantage.
Last Sunday in Minnesota, the Chargers never truly seemed to be in the game, this despite having their chances to capitalize on things. Once again, the lack of a full 60-minute effort would lead to San Diego's inability to come away with a victory.
Coming into the season, many prognosticators pointed to San Diego's challenges on the offensive line and in the secondary as two keys to what could be a season where winning its division and/or making the AFC playoffs would be tough.
When watching the Chargers, you can't help but come away with the feeling that the potential and the talent is there, but for whatever reason or reasons, it is simply not coming together early in the season.
With three home games in October (Cleveland, Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football on Oct. 12, Oakland on Oct. 25), the Chargers must take advantage of their friendly confines in order to get back in the AFC playoff hunt.
As they prepare for Cleveland, the Chargers have a decent-size injury list like many other teams.
Among the walking-wounded in practice this week were offensive guard D.J. Fluker and corner Brandon Flowers.
Fluker, who was injured in the season-opener (ankle) against Detroit, is sorely needed on the offensive line to help protect quarterback Philip Rivers (sacked 10 times in three games), while Flowers (injured knee) could definitely be used in the secondary to provide free safety Eric Weddle and others with help.
If the Bolts lose to a lowly Browns' team this Sunday, while the season certainly won't be over, the hole to dig out of will get that much bigger.
Probable:
Ladarius Green, tight end (concussion)
Chris Hairston, offensive guard (ankle, knee)
Jason Verrett, corner (foot)
Questionable:
Jahleel Addae, safety (ankle)
King Dunlap, tackle (concussion)
Brandon Flowers, corner (knee)
D.J. Fluker, offensive guard (ankle, chest)
Orlando Franklin, offensive guard (ankle)
Jacoby Jones, punt/kick returner/wide receiver (ankle)
Craig Mager, corner (hamstring)
Chris Watt, center (groin)
Out:
Tourek Williams, outside linebacker (foot)
Dave Thomas has been covering the sports world since his first job as a sports editor for a weekly newspaper in Pennsylvania back in 1989. He has covered a Super Bowl, college bowl games, MLB, NBA and more. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
