Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams

Injuries noted

Los Angeles Chargers: Tyler Biadasz (IR) — The Chargers placed Biadasz (knee) on injured reserve Sunday.; Denzel Perryman (IR) — Head coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday that Perryman (undisclosed) is "close" to returning from injured reserve.; Trevor Penning (IR) — The Chargers placed Penning (concussion) on injured reserve Saturday.; Trey Pipkins III (IR) — The Chargers placed Pipkins (knee) on injured reserve Saturday.; Derwin James Jr. (Out) — Official report, Wk 8: hamstring; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 DNP · Thu, Oct 29 DNP · Sat, Oct 31 DNP. The Chargers placed James (hamstring) on injured reserve Saturday.; David Njoku (IR) — The Chargers placed Njoku (fibula) on injured reserve Wednesday.; Kayode Awosika (Out) — Official report, Wk 8: fibula; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 DNP · Thu, Oct 29 DNP · Sat, Oct 31 DNP. Awosika (lower leg) has been ruled out for Sunday's tilt against the Rams.; Rashawn Slater (IR) — The Chargers placed Slater (ankle) on injured reserve Friday.; Trey Lance (IR) — The Chargers placed Lance (groin) on injured reserve Saturday.; Donte Jackson (Questionable) — Official report, Wk 8: hamstring; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 Limited · Thu, Oct 29 Limited · Sat, Oct 31 Limited. Jackson (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams.; Rodney Shelley (Questionable) — Official report, Wk 8: hamstring; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 Limited · Thu, Oct 29 Limited · Sat, Oct 31 Limited.; Alec Ingold (IR) — The Chargers placed Ingold on injured reserve Thursday due to a shoulder injury.; Brenen Thompson (Out) — Official report, Wk 8: quadricep, hamstring; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 DNP · Thu, Oct 29 DNP · Sat, Oct 31 DNP. Thompson (quadriceps/hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams.; Deane Leonard (Out) — Official report, Wk 8: concussion; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 DNP · Thu, Oct 29 DNP · Sat, Oct 31 DNP. Leonard (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams.; Khalil Mack (No game designation) — Official report, Wk 8: not injury related - resting player; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 DNP · Thu, Oct 29 Full · Sat, Oct 31 Full.; Ladd McConkey (No game designation) — Official report, Wk 8: concussion; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 Full · Thu, Oct 29 Full · Sat, Oct 31 Full.; Tre Harris (No game designation) — Official report, Wk 8: hamstring; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 Limited · Thu, Oct 29 Limited · Sat, Oct 31 Full.

Los Angeles Rams: Justin Dedich (IR-R) — Dedich (undisclosed) was put on injured reserve with a designation to return by the Rams on Sunday.; Eddie Walls III (IR); Matthew Caldwell (IR) — The Rams placed Caldwell (undisclosed) on injured reserve Saturday.; Daniel Rickert (IR) — Rickert (knee) reverted to the Rams' injured reserve Tuesday, per the NFL's transaction log.; Myles Garrett (IR) — Head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that the Rams won't open Garrett's (knee) practice window this week.; Ronnie Rivers (IR) — The Rams placed Rivers (calf) on their injured reserve list Wednesday.; Terrance Ferguson (IR) — Ferguson (ankle) won't return to practice this week.; Trent McDuffie (Questionable) — Official report, Wk 8: groin; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 Limited · Thu, Oct 29 Limited · Sat, Oct 31 Limited. McDuffie (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers.; Blake Grupe (IR) — Rams head coach Sean McVay announced Monday that Grupe will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a torn ACL in Sunday's 18-16 loss to the Cardinals.; Davante Adams (IR) — Head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that Adams had successful surgery on his left hamstring, and the Rams are hopeful that the wide receiver will be able to return on the early side of his 6-to-10-week recovery timetable.; Kobie Turner (IR) — The Rams placed Turner (groin) on injured reserve Wednesday.; Poona Ford (IR) — The Rams placed Ford (triceps) on injured reserve Tuesday.; Colby Parkinson (Questionable) — Official report, Wk 8: rib; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 DNP · Thu, Oct 29 DNP · Sat, Oct 31 DNP. Parkinson (ribs) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers.; Coleman Shelton (Questionable) — Official report, Wk 8: hip; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 DNP · Thu, Oct 29 DNP · Sat, Oct 31 Limited.; Joe Cardona (Doubtful) — Official report, Wk 8: ankle; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 DNP · Thu, Oct 29 DNP · Sat, Oct 31 DNP.; Jordan Whittington (Questionable) — Official report, Wk 8: back; practice by report day: Sat, Oct 31 DNP. Whittington (back) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers.; Aaron Donald (No game designation) — Official report, Wk 8: not injury related - resting player; practice by report day: Sat, Oct 31 DNP.; Alaric Jackson (No game designation) — Official report, Wk 8: not injury related - resting player; practice by report day: Sat, Oct 31 DNP.; Nate Landman (No game designation) — Official report, Wk 8: concussion; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 Full · Thu, Oct 29 Full · Sat, Oct 31 Full.; Desjuan Johnson (No game designation) — Official report, Wk 8: hip; practice by report day: Wed, Oct 28 Full · Thu, Oct 29 Full · Sat, Oct 31 Full.; Puka Nacua (No game designation) — Official report, Wk 8: not injury related - resting player; practice by report day: Sat, Oct 31 DNP.; Byron Young (No game designation) — Official report, Wk 8: not injury related - resting player; practice by report day: Sat, Oct 31 DNP.

QUARTERBACK

• Justin Herbert is the projected starting quarterback for LAC

  6.34 Y/A

  Through 6 games in 2026, Justin Herbert threw for 1141 passing yards, completed 59.4% of his passes and averaged 6.34 yards per attempt. Last season over 16 games he threw for 3727 yards, completed 66.4% and averaged 7.28 yards per attempt, 26-13 touchdowns to interceptions. This season's 5-8 touchdown-to-interception line is 6 games in.

• Matthew Stafford is the projected starting quarterback for LAR

  7.16 Y/A

  Through 7 games in 2026, Matthew Stafford threw for 1989 passing yards, completed 67.3% of his passes and averaged 7.16 yards per attempt. Last season over 17 games he threw for 4707 yards, completed 65% and averaged 7.88 yards per attempt, 46-8 touchdowns to interceptions. This season's 14-7 touchdown-to-interception line is 7 games in.

PASS RUSH

• LAR: 1.57 sacks taken per game to LAC's 3.5

  1.93 SACKS

  The Chargers are taking 3.5 sacks a game, almost exactly last season's 3.75, while the Rams are at 1.57, close to their 1.77. With two seasons of the same story, this gap looks built in. LAC's protection issues are a long-running problem, and that limits how freely it can throw. Bettors can expect the Chargers' offense to face drive-killing pressure, which matters for totals and any LAC passing props.

• LAR: 11.9 sack yards lost per game to LAC's 22

  10.1 YDS

  LAC is at 22 sack yards lost per game over 6 games; LAR is at 11.9 over 7 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 31. Last season LAC was at 21.6 over 17 games and LAR at 11.5 over 17 games.

PACE & SCRIPT

• LAR: 24.3 points per game to LAC's 15

  9.3 PPG

  The Rams score 24.3 a game to the Chargers' 15, with the Chargers at six games and the Rams at seven. Both are down from last season, the Rams from 30.5 and the Chargers from 21.6, but the Chargers' fall is much steeper. A Chargers team that scored 21.6 last year sitting at 15 has room to climb. In this matchup the Rams are the side more likely to set the scoring pace, with the Chargers needing their offense to find last season's form.

• LAR: 68.3 offensive plays per game to LAC's 61.8

  6.5 PLAYS

  LAC is at 61.8 offensive plays per game over 6 games; LAR is at 68.3 over 7 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 31. Last season LAC was at 64.4 over 17 games and LAR at 63.9 over 17 games.

• LAR: 31:48 time of possession per game to LAC's 29:36

  2:12 TOP

  LAC is at 29:36 time of possession per game over 6 games; LAR is at 31:48 over 7 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 31. Last season LAC was at 32:45 over 17 games and LAR at 30:46 over 17 games.

TURNOVERS

• LAR: 1.57 turnovers committed per game to LAC's 2.5

  0.93 TO

  LAC is at 2.5 turnovers committed per game over 6 games; LAR is at 1.57 over 7 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 31. Last season LAC was at 1.24 over 17 games and LAR at 0.88 over 17 games.

• LAC: 1.67 takeaways per game to LAR's 0.86

  0.81 TO

  The Chargers force 1.67 turnovers a game over six games, nearly double the Rams' 0.86 over seven. Takeaways swing a lot week to week, so the Chargers' rate is likely to drift down some. Treat turnover margin as a lean toward the Chargers, but avoid leaning on it as heavily as steadier stats like yards per play.

• LAR: 0.57 fumbles lost per game to LAC's 1.17

  0.6 FUM

  LAC is at 1.17 fumbles lost per game over 6 games; LAR is at 0.57 over 7 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 31. Last season LAC was at 0.41 over 17 games and LAR at 0.41 over 17 games.

EXPLOSIVE PLAYS

• LAR: 5.86 yards per play to LAC's 4.67

  1.19 Y/P

  The Rams get 5.86 yards a play over seven games to the Chargers' 4.67 over six. Last season the Rams were at 6.15 and the Chargers at 5.19, so both are down, with the Chargers down more. Last game Justin Herbert hit Quentin Johnston for 57 yards but that was their only play of 20-plus, while the Rams had none. The Rams have the steadier efficiency edge, and a Chargers offense below last season has room to rise.

RED ZONE

• LAR: 69% red-zone scoring rate to LAC's 50%

  19 PP

  LAC is at 50% red-zone scoring rate over 6 games; LAR is at 69% over 7 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 31. Last season LAC was at 47.4% over 17 games and LAR at 63.2% over 17 games.

• LAR: 4.14 red-zone trips per game to LAC's 2.67

  1.48 TRIPS

  LAC is at 2.67 red-zone trips per game over 6 games; LAR is at 4.14 over 7 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 31. Last season LAC was at 3.35 over 17 games and LAR at 4.47 over 17 games.

MISMATCH

• LAR: 274.1 pass yards a game to LAC's 168.2

  274.1 VS 168.2

  The Rams are throwing for 274.1 yards a game, right in line with 268.1 last season, so that number is steady. The Chargers have fallen to 168.2 over six games from 212.2 last year, a big drop that could move back toward their old level. For now the Chargers lean away from the pass, which puts pressure on them to keep pace if the Rams score early. How far the Chargers' passing climbs back is the swing piece in this one.

COVERAGE

• LAR: 4.91 yards per play allowed to LAC's 5.4

  0.49 Y/P

  The Rams allow 4.91 yards per play over 7 games, and the Chargers give up 5.4 over 6. Over this many games, yards per play is a fairly stable read on a defense, so the Rams' unit looks solid on the facts available, though the sheet doesn't say who either team has faced. In this spot, the Chargers' offense draws the stingier defense, which leans toward fewer explosive plays and longer drives for them.

REPLACEMENT

• Davante Adams (WR) is on injured reserve for LAR

  IR

  Adams is on injured reserve after surgery on his left hamstring, and McVay said the operation went well. The recovery timetable is 6 to 10 weeks, and the Rams hope he comes back on the early end of that. Either way, he won't be part of this game against the Chargers. The rest of the Rams' receivers will split the targets he leaves behind, so expect that workload to land on whoever is healthy.

• Terrance Ferguson (TE) is on injured reserve for LAR

  IR

  Ferguson is on injured reserve with an ankle injury and won't return to practice this week. That rules him out of the Chargers game. The Rams will lean on their other tight ends, though the sheet doesn't name who takes his snaps. Leave him out of your plans for this one and look for practice news next week.

• Myles Garrett (DE) is on injured reserve for LAR

  IR

  Garrett is on injured reserve with a knee injury, and the Rams are optimistic he can return to practice in Week 9. Returning to practice is the first step, and it doesn't mean he plays that week. Losing a top pass rusher matters a lot, and the Rams' line is also without Kobie Turner, who is on injured reserve with a groin injury. Until Garrett is activated, assume the Rams get less pressure on the quarterback than they would at full strength.

• Derwin James Jr. (S) is on injured reserve for LAC

  IR

  The Chargers put James on injured reserve Saturday with a hamstring injury, so he will miss this game against the Rams at minimum. He is one of the most important players on that defense, and losing him hurts both against the pass and the run. Linebacker Denzel Perryman is also on injured reserve, though Harbaugh says he's close to returning. Expect the Chargers' secondary to be more vulnerable than its season-long numbers suggest.

• Denzel Perryman (LB) is on injured reserve for LAC

  IR

  Perryman is on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, and Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday he's close to returning. Close usually means practice comes first, then activation. With Derwin James Jr. also now on injured reserve, getting a veteran linebacker back would help a Chargers defense missing pieces. Check whether he is activated before the Rams game.

• Kobie Turner (DE) is on injured reserve for LAR

  IR

  The Rams placed Turner on injured reserve with a groin injury on Oct 21, so he is out for the Chargers game. Los Angeles has to fill his spot on the defensive line with someone else for this one.

• Poona Ford (DT) is on injured reserve for LAR

  IR

  The Rams placed Ford (triceps) on injured reserve Tuesday. Reported Oct 20.

• Blake Grupe (PK) is on injured reserve for LAR

  IR

  Rams head coach Sean McVay announced Monday that Grupe will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a torn ACL in Sunday's 18-16 loss to the Cardinals, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports. Reported Oct 19.

PRACTICE REPORT

• Brenen Thompson

  Out

  Quadricep, Hamstring · Did not practice · Out

• Kayode Awosika

  Out

  Fibula · Did not practice · Out

• Deane Leonard

  Out

  Concussion · Did not practice · Out

• Joe Cardona

  Doubtful

  Ankle · Did not practice · Doubtful

• Colby Parkinson

  Questionable

  Rib · Limited practice · Questionable

• Donte Jackson

  Questionable

  Hamstring · Limited practice · Questionable

• Trent McDuffie

  Questionable

  Groin · Limited practice · Questionable

• Rodney Shelley

  Questionable

  Hamstring · Limited practice · Questionable

• Coleman Shelton

  Questionable

  Hip · Limited practice · Questionable

• Jordan Whittington

  Questionable

  Back · Did not practice · Questionable

• Puka Nacua

  DNP

  Did not practice

• Alaric Jackson

  DNP

  Did not practice

• Byron Young

  DNP

  Did not practice

• Aaron Donald

  DNP

  Did not practice

• Ladd McConkey

  FP

  Full practice

• Tre' Harris

  FP

  Full practice

• Nate Landman

  FP

  Full practice

• Desjuan Johnson

  FP

  Coach's Decision · Full practice

• Khalil Mack

  FP

  Full practice

SITUATIONAL

• LAC has 7 more days of rest

  14d vs 7d

  The Chargers are the road team here, but they come off a bye with 14 days of rest while the Rams play on a normal 7-day week. The extra week lets the Chargers rest players and build a full plan, and the short trip across town takes most of the travel cost out of being the visitor. The gap is locked in by the calendar. In this spot, the usual home edge for the Rams is partly offset by the rest difference.

• LAC (0-6) at LAR (3-4)

  +72 PT GAP

  The Chargers are 0-6, -61, have lost every game, and are 0-3 on the road. The Rams are 3-4 but +11, so their scoring is better than their record. The catch is that the Rams are 1-3 at home, the weakest part of their profile. They still have the stronger season numbers by a wide margin, and a winless team gives a bettor little reason to expect a sudden turn.

STREAK

• LAC has lost 6 straight

  L6

  The Chargers are 0-6, so this losing streak is their whole season. Six games is enough to say something is wrong, though the sheet does not show who beat them or by how much. Winless teams draw lopsided lines, and facing the Rams on the road keeps them an underdog here. The useful question is whether the number has moved past what an 0-6 team really is, since public money tends to pile away from teams like this.

TEAM RECORD

• LAR is 1-3 at home; LAC is 0-3 on the road

  1-3

  This split favors the Rams mostly because the Chargers have been worse: Los Angeles is 1-3 at home, and the Chargers are 0-3 on the road. Neither number is good, and three or four games is a thin sample for either team. Neither side has earned trust in this setting, so the site split tells you little about this game.

AFTER GARY

• LAR -6.5 → -6.5

  GARY +0.46PP

  Gary's number was -6.5; the same book now shows -6.5.