Chargers Get Much Needed Secondary Help Right Before the Playoffs

The Los Angeles Chargers enter the last week of the regular season with a 10-6 record and a playoff spot locked down. The Chargers will play either the Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, or Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round.

No matter who the Chargers play in the Wild Card Round, it'll be a tough matchup. Jim Harbaugh's squad will be technically sound and prepared for whatever comes their way. While it was great to clinch a spot in the playoffs against the New England Patriots in Week 17, Los Angeles also lost safety Elijah Molden for the season.

Molden broke his fibula in his left leg during the third quarter and was placed on IR. That was a loss for the Chargers defense, as he made plays all over the field. Thankfully, they got some good news on Saturday. Los Angeles activated safety Alohi Gilman off of IR.

Chargers News: Alohi Gilman is off IR

Gilman has not played since Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens. He injured his hamstring and took a couple of weeks to recover. The Chargers opened up his 21-day practice window on Jan. 1. He was a limited participant in Wednesday and Thursday's practice and was upgraded to a full participant on Friday.

Gilman said, "I feel good, healthy. I'm excited to get back out there," following Friday's practice.

The Notre Dame product is third among Los Angeles safeties with 616 snaps. In those reps, he's secured 47 total tackles, four pass deflections, one interception, and one sack.

With Molden and Marcus Maye both landing on IR in the last two weeks, this is the exact kind of news Los Angeles was hoping to hear. Getting a key defender in the secondary will help ease these losses and raise the floor of an already stout unit.

There's a chance he plays against the Las Vegas Raiders and knocks off some rust before the playoffs begin.

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