Chargers at Chiefs inactives: Bolts will be without their top two running backs

When the Los Angeles Chargers (10-3) and Kansas City Chiefs (11-2) face off tonight, the Chargers will be down to their third and fourth string running backs. With both Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler sidelined by injuries, Ken Whisenhunt’s offense will be forced to rely on Justin Jackson and Detrez Newsome. Now, that’s a pretty quality backfield for a team to be reduced to all things considered, but it’s going to make tonight more difficult.

Rookie receiver Dylan Cantrell still is not active and neither is veteran defensive tackle Brandon Mebane. The absence of Mebane will be less damaging given the Chiefs also being limited to their third string running back.

Overall, the Chargers are healthier than they have been in most Decembers in recent memory and the Chiefs are at least as banged up at important positions as the Bolts are.