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Chargers Suddenly Rule Out Defender for Playoffs After Injury

By Richard Louis

Dec 28, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh looks up at the scoreboard from the sidelines during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Dec 28, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh looks up at the scoreboard from the sidelines during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
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The Los Angeles Chargers have been one of the best teams to watch this season. Under Jim Harbaugh's guidance, the Chargers clinched a playoff berth after blowing out the New England Patriots 40-7.

While the Chargers will be either the fifth or the sixth seed in the AFC. The Week 18 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders could give Los Angeles an option to rest some starters. We'll have to see whether they take advantage of that but it was revealed that a defensive starter is done for the remainder of the season.

Chargers News: Elijah Molden is Done for the Season

When speaking to team reporters, Harbaugh expressed that safety Elijah Molden has a broken fibula and is out for the rest of the season.

In the win over the Patriots, Molden got hurt and was carted off in the third quarter after suffering a non-contact injury.

The Washington product played in 15 games (12 starts) for the Chargers and notched the second-most snaps (760) at safety this season. He ranked third on the team in total tackles (75) with seven pass deflections, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.

Per PFF, the 25-year-old finished the season with a 75.6 overall grade (22nd among 166 eligible safeties) and a 75.4 coverage grade (14th among 166 eligible safeties). Losing Molden is a blow to a Chargers pass defense that is ranked eighth overall in passing yards allowed (205.8).

Thankfully for Los Angeles, they added veteran safety Eddie Jackson in late December. He was elevated to the active roster ahead of the game against New England, logging 21 total snaps.

Los Angeles also has Tony Jefferson and Marcus Maye on the team, so they have veteran options who can step in for Molden. This isn't the news Chargers fans wanted to hear, but that's the reality of the situation.

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