Make no mistake about it, this matchup on Christmas is an important game for both the Chargers and the Titans. There's plenty of bad feelings between the teams, which is a part of it, but mostly it has to do with both teams needing a win to either stay alive in the playoffs or to clinch a playoff bye. There's also the idea that the Chargers would like nothing more than to take this very long winning streak (now at 9 games) into the playoffs.
With that being said, in important games you can read injury reports a little different. "Probable" means the guy will play. "Questionable" means he's a game-time decision, and will play if it's absolutely necessary. Anything below that and the guy won't be playing. So even though Shawne Merriman didn't practice all week, him being listed as "Probable" for the game means that he'll be on that field on the first play. It also means his foot is probably worse than him, or the team, has let on to this point.
The full injury report for both teams is after the jump.
Chargers vs. Titans |
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| Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009 | ||||||
Chargers |
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| Player | Injury | Tuesday Participation | Wednesday Participation | Thursday Participation* | Thursday Status | |
| Kevin Burnett, ILB | Neck | Full Participation | Full Participation | Full Participation | Questionable | |
| Jacques Cesaire, DE | Elbow | Did Not Participate | Limited Participation | Limited Participation | Questionable | |
| Nick Hardwick, C | Ankle | Full Participation | Full Participation | Full Participation | Questionable | |
| Shawne Merriman, OLB | Foot | Did Not Participate | Did Not Participate | Did Not Participate | Probable | |
| Travis Johnson, DE | Groin | Did Not Participate | Full Participation | Full Participation | Probable | |
| Legedu Naanee, WR | Foot | Did Not Participate | Full Participation | Full Participation | Probable | |
| Mike Scifres, P | Groin | Full Participation | Full Participation | Full Participation | Probable | |
| * Estimation due to the team conducting a walk-through practice. | ||||||
Titans |
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| Player | Injury | Tuesday Participation | Wednesday Participation | Thursday Participation | Thursday Status | |
| Keith Bulluck, LB | Knee | Out - Definitely will not play | Out - Definitely will not play | Out - Definitely will not play | Out | |
| Troy Kropog, T | Calf | Limited Participation | Did Not Participate | Out | ||
| Nick Harper, CB | Shoulder | Did Not Participate | Did Not Participate | Full Participation | Questionable | |
| Tony Brown, DT | Knee/Quad | Did Not Participate | Did Not Participate | Full Participation | Probable | |
| Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE | Neck | Did Not Participate | Did Not Participate | Full Participation | Probable | |
| Nate Washington, WR | Ankle | Limited Participation | Limited Participation | Full Participation | Probable | |
| Craig Stevens, TE | Concussion | Limited Participation | Full Participation | Full Participation | Probable | |
| STATUS DEFINITIONS: | ||||||
| Out - definitely will not play | ||||||
| Doubtful - at least 75% chance will not play | ||||||
| Questionable - 50-50 chance will not play | ||||||
| Probable - virtual certainty player will be available for normal duty | ||||||