Chargers Get Troubling Update on Injured Playmaker Ahead of Playoffs

The fifth-seed Los Angeles Chargers will open up the 2025 NFL playoffs on the road against the fourth-seed Houston Texans. The Chargers weren’t expected to be in the playoffs this season with Jim Harbaugh, but they surprised everyone with an 11-6 record.

Los Angeles enters Saturday’s contest as a short-road favorite (-2.5) on FanDuel Sportsbook over the Houston Texans. The Chargers hope to have a healthy squad for this weekend’s game, especially if they want to pull off the “upset.”

However, as the Chargers open up practice this week, they might be without one of their starting receivers for Saturday’s game. According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, fourth-year receiver Joshua Palmer didn’t practice on Wednesday with a heel injury. Palmer was given the DNP tag for Tuesday’s practice.

The 25-year-old pass-catcher did not play in last week’s regular-season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders because of his heel. Last week, Palmer didn’t practice at all, which isn’t a good sign to start this week.

This season, the former third-round pick has produced 39 receptions (65 targets) for 584 yards and a touchdown.

If Palmer doesn’t play on Saturday, it could open up more opportunities for Quentin Johnston, DJ Chark Jr., and veteran tight end Will Dissly. In last week’s win over the Raiders, Johnson had a breakout game with a game-high 13 receptions (14 targets) for 186 yards.

Dissly added five receptions (six targets) for 42 yards and a touchdown, while Chark only had one catch for six yards (three targets). Even without Palmer on the field, the Chargers' offense should make some plays against a Texans’ defense that allowed 114 rushing yards per game and 11 rushing touchdowns in the regular season.

However, Houston's passing defense was one of the best in the league, allowing 201 yards per game (sixth-fewest in the NFL).

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