COSTA MESA — Officially, a decision on whether Chargers wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will play Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs will be made just before the kickoff. Unofficially, it might take scary alien visitors from a galaxy far, far away to keep them off the field.
Allen, who injured his hamstring in the first half of the season-opening game Sept. 11, and Williams, who has been out for two games because of a sprained ankle, were full participants in Friday’s practice. They had been listed as limited on the injury reports for Wednesday and Thursday.
Allen’s first comeback from his injury happened in the same game Williams was hurt. Allen played only in the first half of the Chargers’ loss Oct. 23 to the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium. He then suffered a setback while working out during the Chargers’ ensuing bye week.
Williams was injured in the second half of the Chargers’ 37-23 loss to the Seahawks. He was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, which are often the hardest type to rehabilitate. He sat out a victory Nov. 6 over the Atlanta Falcons and a loss last Sunday to the San Francisco 49ers.
So, will they play Sunday against the AFC-leading Chiefs at SoFi Stadium?
“Those guys will be game-time decisions,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said.
What would it take to keep Allen from playing Sunday?
“Coach’s decision,” Allen said. “If he feels comfortable with me playing, I’ll play.”
What did Williams think about playing against the Chiefs?
“Oh, I’m ready,” Williams said. “I’m ready to make some plays.”
Quarterback Justin Herbert has had his top two targets available to him for only a handful of plays this season, his third in the NFL. He has guided an injury-riddled offense to a 5-4 record and a second-place standing behind the Chiefs in the AFC West despite his own injury.
Herbert suffered fractured rib cartilage while completing a pass in the fourth quarter of the Chargers’ 27-24 loss Sept. 15 to the Chiefs in Kansas City. Slowly but certainly, he’s regained his form and managed the injury to the point that he’s looked like his old self recently.
Herbert referred to Allen and Williams as “two of the best in the game.”
“It means a ton to have them out there and have a chance to play,” he said.
The additions of Allen and Williams, if healthy, certainly would give the Chargers more firepower against Kansas City (7-2). Allen has caught 515 passes and 32 touchdowns since 2017, the fourth-most in the AFC. Williams has averaged an NFL-leading 15.7 yards per game since ‘17.
As an added bonus, Allen has had touchdown catches in four of his past five games against Kansas City, and Williams has had six receptions for 100 yards or more plus touchdowns in three of his past four against the Chiefs. Allen also has had four straight primetime games with five or more catches.
“They’re great team guys,” Staley said. “Besides being two of the top players at their position in the league, they’re really good players for our team. They really help our team chemistry. They mean a lot to us, more than just on the field. They’ve made a lot of winning plays for us.”
SOLIDIFYING THE D-LINE
The Chargers will have five defensive linemen available to play Sunday against the Chiefs, after they finished last Sunday’s game against the 49ers with only three healthy bodies. Christian Covington (torn pectoral) and Otito Ogbonnia (knee) suffered possible season-ending injuries during the game.
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The Chargers were already shorthanded on the defensive line after Austin Johnson suffered a season-ending knee injury in their Nov. 6 victory over the Falcons in Atlanta.
Morgan Fox, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Breiden Fehoko will be the starters against Kansas City, with the newly-signed Tyeler Davison as one possible backup and Joe Gaziano as the other. Gaziano is expected to be elevated from the practice squad before Sunday’s kickoff.
INJURY UPDATES
The Chargers’ final injury report before Sunday’s game looked a lot less crowded than it did earlier in the week, a sign that some of their key players were on the mend and headed back to the field. Allen and Williams were listed as questionable. Kicker Dustin Hopkins was listed as doubtful.
Wide receiver DeAndre Carter (ribs), tight end Gerald Everett (groin), right tackle Trey Pipkins III (knee), linebacker Chris Rumph II (knee) and punter JK Scott (illness) were full participants in Friday’s practice and expected to play in Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.