The Chargers have gone from sitting pretty at 3-0 to slipping and falling to 3-2. And they’ve lost their top two running backs — Najee Harris (Achilles) for the year and Omarion Hampton (ankle) for at least four games.
As a result, the Chargers are in the market for help at the position.
Via Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Chargers have been calling teams in search of available running backs. They’re looking for whatever they can get — depth or a starter.
For now, Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal will carry the load.
The most obvious candidates would be veteran Saints running back Alvin Kamara and fourth-year Jets tailback Breece Hall.
Then there’s Derrick Henry. If the Ravens, who have a pipeline to the Chargers via the presence of former Baltimore exec Joe Hortiz as G.M. and the Harbaugh connection at coach, are ready to fold the tents on 2025, the Ravens could choose get value for Henry and pivot to Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell.
It’s hard to imagine the Ravens shifting into fire-sale mode. But a loss on Sunday to the Rams would drop Baltimore to 1-5. The Ravens are off in Week 7, before facing the Bears and Dolphins. If things don’t turn around, they’ll need to consider all options.
Of course, the Chargers have a more immediate need. They may not want to wait another three weeks to see whether the Ravens would be willing to move Henry. But whether it’s the Chargers or some other contender, it makes sense to keep a potential Henry trade on the radar screen, unless and until the Ravens shows signs of reversing their current trend of losing.
On Tuesday, the Ravens traded for safety Alohi Gilman. On Sunday, the Ravens are expecting Gilman to be on the field, helping their defense stop the Rams’ passing attack.
Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr said he’s been very impressed with how quickly Gilman is showing an understanding of his role in the defense.
“Hats off to him. He got on a redeye, flew in, [came right into] practice and made plays,” Orr said, via the Ravens’ website. “He’s communicating like he was here throughout the whole training camp.”
Gilman said he takes pride in his ability to learn a playbook quickly.
“I would say it’s a strength of mine, being in multiple systems throughout my career,” Gilman said. “It hasn’t been a crazy hard transition for me, just having that football knowledge and being around the game. There’s obviously some crossover with systems with the Chargers and Ravens [being] similar.”
The Ravens’ defense has a tough task on Sunday, but Gilman said he’s up to it.
“In terms of playing ball and getting out there and doing my job at a high level, that’s what I do. I’m not worried about that,” Gilman said. “We’re going to do it on Sunday and have a good time doing it.”
Rams starting right tackle Rob Havenstein does not appear ready to return from his ankle injury yet. After missing practice all week, he is doubtful to play against the Ravens on Sunday.
Havenstein missed last week’s game against the 49ers with his injury.
Warren McClendon is expected to start a second consecutive week at right tackle.
“I think Warren’s done a great job of just putting the work in. He’s got a great mentor in Rob to be able to lean on,” Rams coach Sean McVay said, Adam Grosbard. “He’s ascending into a good football player. He’s earned the right to be confident because of the work that he’s putting in. There’ll always be some snaps that you can want back, but I thought we put him in some stressful situations and I thought he handled it really well. And I love his game-day demeanor. He’s nice and steady, thought he played with toughness at the line of scrimmage.”
The Rams will see the return of left guard Steve Avila to the starting lineup. Avila was active the past two weeks but did not participate on offense as he worked his way back from a Week 1 ankle sprain.
Inside linebacker Omar Speights (ankle) is also doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Ravens after missing practice all week.
Tight end Colby Parkinson (concussion) and wide receiver Tutu Atwell (hamstring) are questionable.
Parkinson was limited in all three practices this week, while Atwell was a new addition to the injury report on Thursday. He was limited again in Friday’s practice.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson officially will miss a second consecutive game with his hamstring injury. The Ravens ruled him out on Friday.
The Ravens are 4-11 without Jackson since he became their starting quarterback.
Cooper Rush, whom the team signed in the offseason, will make his second start for the Ravens.
The Ravens have their off week next week, so Jackson could be in line to return in Week 8 against the Bears.
The Ravens also ruled out linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), fullback Pat Ricard (calf), offensive tackle Emery Jones (shoulder), cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) and wide receiver Devontez Walker (oblique).
Wide receiver Zay Flowers (shoulder) is questionable.
It looks like Cooper Rush will make another start for the Ravens this weekend.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is not practicing on Friday, according to multiple reporters on the scene. That puts Rush in line to start his second consecutive game, as Jackson continues to deal with a hamstring injury suffered in the Week 4 loss to the Chiefs.
Jackson has not practiced since that contest.
The Ravens have a bye in Week 7, which could help set up Jackson to return for Week 8.
Rush completed 14-of-20 passes for 179 yards with three interceptions in Baltimore’s loss to Houston last week.
Linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) and receiver Devontez Walker (oblique) also were not practicing for the Ravens on Friday. But cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) was on the field during the media’s viewing window.
The Ravens’ full final injury report of the week, with statuses for Sunday’s game against the Rams, will be released later on Friday.
