:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1262319/GYI0061915501.jpg)
I'll be doing the BFTB Podcast tonight at 7pm, with Steve Adler returning as my co-host. We'll be talking about the Colts game, the Raiders game, the injured players on the team, fantasy football, the Los Angeles Chargers and a whole lot more. Put your questions in the comments below, including your fantasy football questions, and we'll answer them during the show.
Chargers
Did Not Participate
Stephen Cooper (knee)
Patrick Crayton (wrist)
Malcom Floyd (hamstring)
Antonio Gates (toe/foot)
Vincent Jackson (calf)
Donald Strickland (hip)
Mike Tolbert (hand)
Louis Vasquez (neck)
I don't think anyone could speak highly enough of Gates and Philip Rivers. Those two guys have become the leaders of the team for three or four reasons. First, they're obviously the stars and the face of this franchise. Second, they have proven time and time again that they are amongst the toughest guys on the team. They have regularly put their body on the line to play football games when most people wouldn't have even thought about it. And three, they are leaders in the locker room that go out of their way to offer advice to the younger guys on the team.
El Capitan has been lucky enough to avoid any injuries this year, the offensive line should be credited with that as they've done a tremendous job of protecting him outside of two games (@Seattle, @St. Louis). Gates, however, has had to struggle through injury. While it has slowed down his chase of record-breaking numbers for a Tight End, he has toughed it out and will continue to for the rest of the season because he knows that his presence on the field is helpful to Rivers and the rest of the receivers. To steal a tagline of the sponsor of this post, Antonio is "powering through" the second half of this season.
Did Not Participate
Nnamdi Asomugha (ankle)
Tyvon Branch (shoulder)
Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder)
Chris Johnson (groin)
Limited Participation
Zach Miller (foot/fibula)
Chaz Schilens (knee)
Richard Seymour (shoulder)
That is one beat-up secondary, with two starters and their nickel corner all missing today's practice. If they hope to beat the Chargers again this season, they're going to need those guys to get healthy quickly.