Week 6 Injury Report: Barksdale, Franklin questionable vs Broncos

The San Diego Chargers play their only primetime game this season Thursday night against the Denver Broncos. Playing on a short week with little to no rest isn't always a great thing for a team that has a hard time staying healthy. So without further ado, let’s take a gander at this week's injury report to see who may or may not take the field at the Q this week.

The Chargers are a little banged up on the front line, having three offensive linemen listed as “Questionable” heading into tomorrow night's game. This is not good news for Philip Rivers, as he will have to face the likes of Von Miller and the rest of the Broncos ferocious defensive unit. Starting left guard Orlando Franklin once again finds himself on the injury report, this time with an ankle injury. Franklin was unable to practice Monday but was back at practice in a limited role on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hopefully, Franklin is able to suit up against his former team, but Spencer Pulley and Kenny Wiggins are the backup guards just in case.

The tackle position is where it gets tricky. Starting right tackle Joe Barksdale was limited in practice Tuesday and Wednesday as he continues to deal with a foot injury. Backup tackle Chris Hairston (Groin) is also listed on the injury report. Hairston missed practice Monday and was limited Tuesday and Wednesday. If neither Barksdale or Hairston are able to play Thursday night, that would leave King Dunlap and Tyreek Burwell as the only healthy tackles on the roster.

Cornerback Brandon Flowers will miss his third straight game this week as he continues his recovery from a concussion sustained in week 3. He has been ruled out. Craig Mager (Shoulder) is listed as “Questionable” after practicing on a limited basis Tuesday and Wednesday. He did not practice Monday. Steve Williams will likely start in the event that Mager cannot play. Williams had an interception last week against the Oakland Raiders.

Linebacker Denzel Perryman (Shoulder) did not practice Monday but did so on Tuesday and Wednesday in a limited capacity. Perryman did not play last week in Oakland and his absence was noticeable. Jatavis Brown is a rising star and Korey Toomer played well in his first game as a Charger, but there is nobody at linebacker who can replicate what Perryman brings to the defense.

Dexter McCluster (Hamstring) is listed on the injury report this week with a game status tag of “Questionable”. He was not listed on Monday but was then limited in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. Kenneth Farrow is the other running back behind Melvin Gordon, though he offers a different skill set than the one McCluster brings to the table.

Drew Kaser (Back) was limited in practice Monday and Tuesday but was full go in Wednesday’s session. There is no game status listed for Kaser and it appears he will be good to go Thursday night.