Elijah

Molden

Vidal injured his neck in Week 16 and was unable to play in Week 17. He practiced throughout Week 18, including two full sessions to close the week. Forecasting Vidal’s role is difficult, with the Chargers declaring QB Justin Herbert, S Derwin James Jr., RB Omarion Hampton (ankle), S Elijah Molden (hamstring), OLB Tuli Tuipulotu, OT Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) and C Bradley Bozeman (concussion) inactive for Week 18 against the Broncos. The team is clearly trying to preserve its health for the postseason and Vidal has meaningfully contributed to the offense this season. While we tentatively expect him to start, RB Hassan Haskins (concussion) and RB Jaret Patterson could also be regularly involved. Patterson is the backfield’s lone fully healthy player.

Pipkins entered the Chargers’ Week 14 game against the Eagles with a back injury and exited with an ankle injury. When asked if Pipkins, along with WR Derius Davis (ankle) and S Elijah Molden (hamstring), could play after sitting out practice all week, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said only, “we’ll see how the week goes.” Having Pipkins on the field would be extremely helpful for QB Justin Herbert (hand).

Haskins will rotate in behind RB Kimani Vidal, who out-touched Haskins 21-7 last week. Vidal is an RB2 for the occasion, while Haskins is a touchdown-dependent FLEX. The big-bodied running back was added to the injury report with a chest injury on Friday, but practiced in full that day. The Chargers declared LT Joe Alt (ankle), RT Trey Pipkins III (knee), S Elijah Molden, LB Troy Dye, WR KeAndre Lambert Smith, EDGE Kyle Kennard and CB Nikko Reed inactive for Week 7 against the Colts. Chargers OLB Khalil Mack (elbow) and LB Denzel Perryman (ankle) will play.

Molden had a meniscus fully repaired this offseason while also rehabbing a fibula fracture suffered in Week 17. The meniscus injury occurred in Week 15, and he missed just one game. Molden is expected to play a multi-faceted role in the Chargers’ secondary after signing a three-year, $18.75 million contract in February. The talented coverage defender can be used as a free safety, strong safety and slot cornerback. The Chargers also activated WR Jaylen Johnson from the active/physically unable to perform list.

Players placed on the PUP list ahead of camp can come off at any time. Williams was dealing with an unspecified injury before the start of camp and was believed to be on track toward playing once camp kicked off. Clearly needing more time to recover, Williams will join WR Jaylen Johnson, S Elijah Molden, LB Del’Shawn Phillips, and OT Savion Washington on the PUP list as they continue to ready themselves for camp.

The deal includes $13.5 million guaranteed. Acquired from the Titans for a bag of footballs near final cuts, 26-year-old Molden blossomed, posting a career year under player’s coach Jim Harbaugh. His season did end on a sour note, as he suffered a Week 17 broken leg before requiring meniscus surgery in January. That’s a lot to rehab from in one offseason, but the Bolts are obviously confident Molden will be ready to go come Week 1. Solid in every phase of the game, Molden could graduate to near every-snap status in 2025. He played 78 percent of Los Angeles’ defensive snaps in 2024.

Molden injured his meniscus in Week 15 against the Buccaneers and missed one game. He returned in Week 17 against the Patriots, only to suffer a season-ending fibula fracture. With the surgery planned for later this month, Molden also said he “expects to be running in the next six weeks.” It is unclear as to whether Molden’s meniscus surgery will be a trim or a full repair. Molden was drafted as a 2021 third-round pick by the Titans but struggled to find his footing while dealing with injuries in his second and third NFL seasons. He thrived as a do-it-all defensive back for the Chargers this season though, notching a career-high three interceptions while tying previous career-highs in total tackles (74) and tackles for loss or no gain (four). Molden is scheduled to hit free agency this offseason but “told the coaching staff he wants to return in 2025.”

Molden played 761 snaps for the Chargers and was excellent in coverage, with a 75.4 PFF coverage grade. Molden was acquired at last cuts from the Titans and proved a prudent snag. This was the final season of his rookie deal. It seems likely that, assuming a full recovery, the nickel will return in Los Angeles if he doesn’t see major interest elsewhere.

Molden suffered a non-contact injury to his knee while backpedaling in the third quarter against the Patriots. He entered the game with a knee injury but played with a brace and now seems to have hurt his other knee. Molden was carted off and likely will not return.

Molden played 671 defensive snaps as a rookie in 2021 before appearing in just two games in his sophomore season. He would rebound in 2023 to the tune of 701 defensive snaps, although he mostly played behind Kristian Fulton when healthy. He’ll get a chance to start over with a new team as he heads to a rebuilding Chargers team lacking in depth in the secondary.