The Chargers aren’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but their chances could best be described as being worse than a snowball’s in hell.
With that being the case, any injuries suffered by the team at this point are mostly a chance for players down the depth chart to get a chance to make an impression in hopes of landing a bigger role in San Diego or elsewhere in 2013. They are playing a couple of teams whose chances at the postseason are much better in the next two weeks, though, and any Chargers injuries will impact those teams.
One such injury is the one suffered by safety Atari Bigby. Bigby, who ranks second on the team in tackles, hurt his groin in Sunday’s loss to the Ravens and further tests have revealed that it is “pretty bad,” according to the North County Times. He is expected to miss three to five weeks, which could mean that we’ve seen the last of him this season.
Bigby wasn’t the only safety injured in the game. Eric Weddle was concussed on a block by Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin during Ray Rice’s big fourth down conversion and Darrell Stuckey injured his hamstring. Rookie Brandon Taylor is expected to make his debut this weekend to help fill the void, although the Chargers expect Weddle to play.
The Chargers face the Bengals and Steelers in the next two weeks, so the safety injuries in San Diego could wind up playing a role in the AFC Wild Card race as both contenders will be facing a weakened opponent.