Chargers Update

LB Larry English

The Chargers have placed linebacker Larry English on season ending injured reserve. It’s unclear if he will play for the Chargers again. He has struggled to get playing time since being drafted out of Northern Illinois in 2009. He has had issues with his left foot since last year, and he broke it in New York on Sunday, causing the move to injured reserve.

Undrafted rookie Darryl Gamble, who shined in the preseason, will be seeing more time with English done for the year.

Also seeing more time will be this year’s second round draft pick Marcus Gilchrist. Antoine Cason struggled mightily with Plaxico Burress in the loss to the Jets, and multiple outlets are reporting that Gilchrist is now practicing with the first team. Gilchrist has shown great potential in the oportunities he has had, including knocking a potentially game winning touchdown away in the win over Denver. He also got his first career interception against Miami.

After writing about rampant pessimism by Charger fans in light of a 4-1 start, I am having trouble staying optimistic myself at 4-2. The failure in New York was so incredibly frustrating for so many reasons. If the Chargers went in and got blown out, we would be able to say they just weren’t good at this point. Instead, they built a lead which could have been kept with one second half touchdown. The last two quarters were hard to stomach. 

The AFC West may not be the most feared division in football, but the Chargers have little room for error as it stands.

The Raiders hope to derail the Bolts as the Chiefs did last year, but the quarterback situation in Oakland could prevent that. Carson Palmer’s play will dictate whether or not the Chargers are in a tight battle with the silver and black all year.

Kansas City looked to be out of the equation when they started 0-3, but they have now won three straight and can tie the Chargers in first place if they win the Halloween matchup. The Raiders would also be in the first place tie under this scenario as they are 4-3 and have a bye week.

Considering all that, I would say Monday night in Arrowhead Stadium is a must win for the Chargers. Hopefully it won’t resemble their last trip there.