The Chicago Bears (6-3) square off against the San Diego Chargers (4-5) this Sunday afternoon at 3:15 p.m. as they begin their four-game tour through the AFC West division.
Unlike the relatively healthy Bears -- whose injures have mostly come on the offensive line, including the Gabe Carimi injury and the Chris Williams injury -- the Chargers injuries span the whole roster and include major contributors.
The Chargers No. 2 wide receiver Malcom Floyd and starting left tackle Marcus McNeill have both been ruled out of Sunday's game. Floyd has over 400 yards receiving this year despite missing the last two Chargers games.
Also likely to be without the services of two other starting offensive lineman, LG Tyronne Green (doubtful) and RG Louis Vasquez (doubtful), the Chargers may have to deploy a makeshift line on Sunday. If both guards are indeed unable to play on Sunday, the Bears defense -- which is tied for fourth in the league with 13 interceptions -- may be able to harass quarterback Phillip Rivers with uncommon ease.
With LB Takeo Spikes (probable), DT and former Bear Antonio Garay (questionable), LB Shaun Phillips (out), and SS Steve Gregory (probable) all injured, the Chargers defense promises to be replete with injured starters or backups, giving the Bears offense, which has scored a sixth-best 26.3 points per game, a significant edge.
The full injury report via the Bears' official website:
| San Diego Chargers | Wednesday (11/16/2011) |
Thursday (11/17/2011) |
Friday (11/18/2011) |
||
| Player | Pos. | Injury | Status | Status | Status |
| Luis Castillo | DE | Tibia | Did not participate | Did not participate | Out (DNP) |
| Malcom Floyd | WR | Hip | Did not participate | Did not participate | Out (DNP) |
| Antonio Garay | DT | Hip | Did not participate | Did not participate | Questionable (FP) |
| Marcus Gilchrist | CB | Hamstring | Did not participate | Did not participate | Doubtful (DNP) |
| Tyronne Green | G | Hand | Did not participate | Did not participate | Doubtful (DNP) |
| Marcus McNeill | T | Neck | Did not participate | Did not participate | Out (DNP) |
| Shaun Phillips | LB | Foot | Did not participate | Did not participate | Out (DNP) |
| Louis Vasquez | G | Ankle | Did not participate | Did not participate | Doubtful (DNP) |
| Steve Gregory | S | Thigh | Full participation | Full participation | Probable (FP) |
| Takeo Spikes | LB | Concussion | Full participation | Full participation | Probable (FP) |
| Antonio Gates | TE | Not injury related | Did not participate | Probable (FP) | |
| Darrell Stuckey | S | Thigh | Limited participation | Questionable (DNP) | |
For more on Sunday's game, check out Windy City Gridiron, SB Nation's Chicago Bears blog. Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more updates.