L.A. Chargers downgrade Russell Okung to doubtful vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Los Angeles Chargers offensive line is a bit of a mess with the news that left tackle Russell Okung is doubtful for Monday’s game against the Chiefs.

The Los Angeles Chargers made a couple changes to their injury designations on Sunday heading into the team’s Monday Night Football matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Specifically, the team announced that left tackle Russell Okung has been downgraded to doubtful and linebacker Drue Tranquill is now questionable.

Okung has been a stable presence at left tackle for the Chargers since he first signed with them before the 2017 season, making 15 starts each of the last two years. However, a pulmonary embolism suffered this past offseason (due to blood clots) left him unable to play for the first seven weeks of the season.

Okung returned in Week 8 to make the next three starts for the Chargers and provided much needed help up front in big wins over the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. Unfortunately Okung suffered a recent groin injury that kept him out of practice all this week and kept him questionable for Monday’s game. Yet even with the extra day of rest, Okung is still not ready and looks likely to sit out.  Trent Scott has started for the Bolts all year when Okung was unable to go.

As for the other changed designation, Tranquill was the team’s fourth round selection in this year’s NFL Draft as a linebacker prospect from the University of Notre Dame. Tranquill has earned more time as the season has gone on and even had a career-high 14 combined tackles last week against the Oakland Raiders. On the year, he has 34 tackles and 1 pass defended.

The Chiefs and Chargers play in primetime on Monday Night Football in Mexico City at 7:15 p.m. C.T.