Daniel Greenspan September 15, 2023, 4:21 pm ET2 minute read
COSTA MESA, Calif. – Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler and linebacker Eric Kendricks are questionable to play for the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, while outside linebacker Joey Bosa is questionable.
All three players were injured in the season-opening 36:34 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Ekeler injured his ankle and Kendricks and Bosa each suffered hamstring injuries.
Ekeler ran for 117 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries and had 47 yards receiving, but was not used on the Chargers’ final possession.
Joshua Kelley, who had 91 yards rushing and a touchdown on 16 carries, would likely start in Ekeler’s absence.
Elijah Dotson, an undrafted rookie free agent, and Isaiah Spiller, a second-rounder who was inactive Sunday, would back up Kelley. The Chargers also signed Jaret Patterson, who ran for 344 yards and two touchdowns over the past two seasons for the Washington Commanders, to their practice squad on Wednesday.
The loss of Kendricks will test the Chargers’ run defense, which allowed the Dolphins 70 yards on 20 carries.
Kendricks, who made seven tackles and had one pass defended in his debut with the Chargers after playing his first eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, was signed in free agency to help stabilize a group that will be a bottom-five team in 2022 Allowed .42 yards per carry in the NFL.
Titans star Derrick Henry had 63 yards rushing on 15 carries and also caught two passes for 56 yards in a 16-15 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Bosa is out after missing 12 games last season with a groin injury that required surgery. He had 2.5 sacks in five games, both career lows, after reaching double-digit sacks in four of his first six seasons.
The Chargers did not release Tua Tagovailoa on Sunday. The 466 yards allowed were the most in franchise history.
Bosa had one tackle and finished the game with a pass-rush win rate of 21.1% on 39 snaps, according to TruMedia data. He was limited in practice on Friday, training alone with a trainer at his side during the media-accessible portion.