Chargers’ Austin Ekeler, Derwin James questionable Thursday vs. Chiefs

COSTA MESA — The Chargers volition hold until crippled clip to determine whether moving backmost Austin Ekeler, information Derwin James and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. volition play Thursday nighttime against the Kansas City Chiefs astatine SoFi Stadium.

Ekeler, who was listed arsenic questionable, was constricted astatine signifier this week due to the fact that of an ankle injury. Ekeler limped disconnected the tract successful the 3rd 4th of past week’s triumph against the New York Giants and didn’t instrumentality to the game.

“Austin is conscionable sore, but we’re going to marque definite earlier the crippled that he’s feeling OK,” Chargers manager Brandon Staley said Wednesday.

Ekeler leads the squad with 730 rushing yards and has scored 16 full touchdowns, tied for 2nd astir successful the NFL.

James and Samuel were besides constricted astatine signifier this week and listed arsenic questionable connected the last wounded report. Safety Alohi Gilman, who has missed the past 4 games, was besides questionable with a quadricep injury.

James didn’t play versus the Giants due to the fact that of a hamstring injury. Samuel was sidelined the past 3 games due to the fact that helium sustained his 2nd concussion of the play versus the Pittsburgh Steelers successful Week 11.

“We’re going to enactment him retired pregame,” Staley said astir James. “He was retired determination connected the signifier tract today, arsenic you guys saw, and trending overmuch amended than helium was past week. … So we’re going to enactment him retired pregame and proceed to effort to dainty him contiguous and time and we’ll spot astatine the crippled however helium feels.”

James has 100 full tackles with 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 5 backmost hits successful 12 games played this season. Samuel has missed 4 games this twelvemonth due to the fact that of concussions, but he’s been 1 of the Chargers’ champion antiaircraft players erstwhile available.

SLATER OFFICIALLY OUT

Staley officially ruled retired rookie near tackle Rashawn Slater for Thursday night.

Third-year violative tackle Trey Pipkins volition regenerate Slater, who tested affirmative for COVID-19 Monday.

“I deliberation Trey has had a little bully week of practice,” Slater said. “Trey continues to amended for us. I deliberation we person assurance successful him to spell execute the job, and we’re going to bash everything we tin wrong the crippled program to marque definite that we play truly good astir him.”

Pipkins, the team’s 2019 third-round pick, has started 8 vocation games.