The Chargers and Raiders have several key players on the inactives list for their divisional matchup in Week 4.
For Los Angeles, safety Derwin James, edge rusher Joey Bosa, and running back Austin Ekeler are all among the inactives. All three were doubtful entering Sunday.
But the Chargers have a bye next week, which could give all three players the opportunity to be healthy for Los Angeles’ next game.
On the other side, Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is inactive and rookie Aidan O’Connell is reportedly expected to start over veteran Brian Hoyer.
Las Vegas’ safety Chris Smith and defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera are active for the first time.
The Raiders’ inactives are Garoppolo, safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, cornerback Nate Hobbs, linebacker Malik Reed, linebacker Amari Burney, receiver Kristian Wilkerson, and defensive tackle Byron Young.
Los Angeles has James, Bosa, Ekeler, safety Alohi Gilman, cornerback Deane Leonard, offensive lineman Zack Bailey, and defensive lineman Christopher Hinton inactive.
Aidan O’Connell will be the starting quarterback for the Raiders today against the Chargers.
With Jimmy Garoppolo ruled out because of a concussion, Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels has decided O’Connell will start instead of backup Brian Hoyer, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Hoyer has been listed ahead of O’Connell on the Raiders’ depth chart, but it’s not surprising that McDaniels has decided to see what O’Connell can do. The Raiders need a spark after a disappointing start to the season, and O’Connell could provide it.
A 25-year-old rookie who started 28 games during six years at Purdue, O’Connell arrived in Las Vegas as a fourth-round draft pick and impressed in the preseason. Now he’ll get to show what he can do against a struggling Chargers defense.
Garoppolo will presumably start again once he’s cleared from the concussion protocol, but McDaniels would love to see O’Connell play well enough to make that a difficult decision.
This year, the NFL has begun announcing the fines imposed on players for on-field rules infractions. We’ll be posting separate items on fines of significance.
We’ll also be listing all of the fines here, by team, player, announced violation, and amount.
All fines are subject to appeal. It’s not known whether the NFL will update the weekly disclosure of imposed fines with information as to the outcome of the appeals.
Here are the Week 3 fines, covering 20 teams, 34 players, and 1.35 percent of all plays:
Falcons, Kaden Ellis, unnecessary roughness, $16,391.
Falcons, Keith Smith, unnecessary roughness, $87,418.
Bears, Jaquan Brisker, unnecessary roughness, $9,287.
Bears, Tyrique Stevenson, unnecessary roughness, $6,515.
Bengals, Cam Taylor-Britt, unnecessary roughness, $7,516.
Cowboys, Chuma Edoga, unnecessary roughness, $6,847.
Cowboys, Jonathan Hankins, unnecessary roughness, $7,319.
Broncos, Kareem Jackson, unnecessary roughness, $11,473.
Broncos, Drew Sanders, unnecessary roughness, $5,793.
Broncos, Patrick Surtain, unnecessary roughness, $11,473.
Lions, Alex Anzalone, unnecessary roughness, $13,922.
Lions, Brian Branch, unnecessary roughness, $8,103.
Lions, Brian Branch (second fine), unnecessary roughness, $8,103.
Packers, Rasul Douglas, unnecessary roughness, $11,473.
Packers, Ben Sims, unnecessary roughness, $4,167.
Texans, Jonathan Greenard, unnecessary roughness, $7,604.
Colts, Kwity Paye, unnecessary roughness, $10,927.
Chargers, Raheem Layne, unnecessary roughness, $4,870.
Chargers, Maxx Crosby, unnecessary roughness, $10.927.
Dolphins, Raheem Mostert, unnecessary roughness, $10,927.
Vikings, Harrison Smith, unnecessary roughness, $21,855.
Patriots, Jabrill Peppers, unnecessary roughness, $43,709.
Patriots, JuJu Smith-Schuster, unnecessary roughness, $16,391.
Saints, Tony Jones, unnecessary roughness, $5,222.
Giants, A’Shawn Robinson, unnecessary roughness, $11,473.
Giants, Jihad Ward, unnecessary roughness, $8,139.
Giants, Leonard Williams, a hit on a quarterback, $16,391.
Steelers, Kwon Alexander, unnecessary roughness, $43,709.
Steelers, Miles Killebrew, unnecessary roughness, $13,792.
49ers, Trent Williams, unnecessary roughness, $11,473.
Seahawks, Julian Love, unnecessary roughness, $21,833.
Seahawks, DK Metcalf, unnecessary roughness, $16,391.
Seahawks, Teez Tabor, unnecessary roughness, $6,000.
Titans, Arden Key, a hit on a quarterback, $43,710.
Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will miss Sunday’s game against the Chargers.
The Raiders officially ruled Garoppolo out, as a result of the concussion he suffered last week. Although Garoppolo finished the game, he immediately went to get checked for a concussion afterward and has been in the concussion protocol since.
It’s not clear who will start for the Raiders on Sunday, veteran Brian Hoyer or fourth-round rookie Aidan O’Connell.
For Garoppolo, the injury is a major disappointment, as his inability to stay healthy has set back his career repeatedly, and now another injury is setting him back early in his career with the Raiders.
Defensive end Joey Bosa is not expected to play for the Chargers on Sunday.
The Chargers announced that they have downgraded Bosa to doubtful for their game against the Raiders. He was initially listed as questionable to play with hamstring and toe injuries, but it now appears the Chargers will be going without him as they try to get to 2-2.
They’ll also be without center Corey Linsley and safety JT Woods. Both players were placed on the non-football injury list. Linsley is dealing with a heart issue while Woods had been ruled out with an illness on Friday.
Derwin James is also expected to miss the game, so the Chargers added two of them to the roster on Saturday. Dean Marlowe and AJ Finley were signed to the active roster.
The Chargers rounded out the day’s moves by elevating wide receiver Keelan Doss and linebacker Andrew Farmer from the practice squad. Both players will revert back after Sunday’s game.
The Raiders and defensive end Chandler Jones are going their separate ways.
The Raiders will release the veteran pass rusher, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
Jones has not played for the Raiders this season. He has complained about the team and persons associated with it on social media, he has made some strong and serious allegations, and most recently he was arrested for violating a protective order.
The team had previously placed him on the non-football illness list.
Because the trade deadline has not passed, Jones will become a free agent immediately. Based on recent developments, however, it’s hard to imagine another teams rushing to sign him.
Jones was in the second year of a three-year, $51 million contract.
Cornerback J.C. Jackson played 85 of the Chargers’ 132 defensive snaps the first two games. He played none last week as the team made him healthy scratch.
Chargers coach Brandon Staley said Friday that he expects Jackson to be active for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. Staley added that it is “to be determined” whether Jackson starts.
On Thursday, Jackson said he was “confused” by his benching last week.
“I kind of knew what was going on. I’m still confused on why,” Jackson said. “I can’t put my opinion on it. It was a coach decision. It’s not my team. I can tell you I’m confused and I don’t know what’s going on. But that’s not the real answer of why I didn’t play or why I didn’t start. That’s above me.”
Staley said Jackson has no reason to be “confused.”
“He probably doesn’t agree with the decision, but the decision was communicated clearly, and the reason why,” Staley said. “The acceptance of that is a different matter.”
Jackson signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract in 2022, but he has not come close to living up to it. He was targeted 12 times and allowed six receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown in the first two games.
The fourth week of the 2023 NFL season kicked off on Thursday with a win by the Lions and it continues with 14 more games on Sunday, which means that the 28 teams in those games submitted their final injury reports of the week on Friday.
The Seahawks and Giants play on Monday and their final injury reports will be released on Saturday.
Falcons at Jaguars (in London)
RB Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) is questionable to make his regular season debut for the Falcons. WR Josh Ali (ankle) is out.
Jaguars WR Zay Jones (knee), LB Devin Lloyd (thumb), and DB Antonio Johnson (hamstring) are out. T Anton Harrison (ankle), DL Foley Fatukasi (shoulder), and WR Jamal Agnew (quad) are listed as questionable.
Dolphins at Bills
Dolphins EDGE Jaelan Phillips (oblique) is out. RB Salvon Ahmed (groin), T Terron Armstead (back, ankle, knee), S DeShon Elliott (ankle, groin), and C Connor Williams (groin) were designated as questionable.
S Jordan Poyer (knee) will not play for the Bills.
Broncos at Bears
LB Frank Clark (hip), LB Josey Jewell (hip), and DT Mike Purcell (ribs) are out for the Broncos while S Justin Simmons (hip) is questionable to play.
S Eddie Jackson (foot) and CB Jaylon Johnson (hamstring) won’t play for the Bears. RB Travis Homer (ankle) is questionable.
Ravens at Browns
Ravens WR Rashod Bateman (hamstring) and WR Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle) will miss Sunday’s game. CB Marlon Humphrey (foot), EDGE Odafe Oweh (ankle), and EDGE David Ojabo (ankle/knee) are also out while T Ronnie Stanley (knee) is doubtful. RB Justice Hill (toe), S Kyle Hamilton (back), C Tyler Linderbaum (ankle) and S Marcus Williams (pectoral) make up the questionable group.
QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is listed as questionable after a week of limited practices, but the rest of the Browns are good to go.
Steelers at Texans
The Steelers ruled out G James Daniels (groin) and P Pressley Harvin (right hamstring).
T Laremy Tunsil (knee), G/T Josh Jones (hand), LB Denzel Perryman (hand, wrist), and CB Tavierre Thomas (hand) are all out for the Texans. C Michael Dieter (concussion) is their only questionable player.
Vikings at Panthers
C Garrett Bradbury (back) and DE Marcus Davenport (ankle) are listed as questionable for the Vikings. S Lewis Cine (hamstring) is the only player ruled out.
The Panthers will have QB Bryce Young (ankle) back in the lineup. RB Miles Sanders (groin) is listed as questionable along with LB Frankie Luvu (hip) and WR Jonathan Mingo (concussion).
Rams at Colts
TE Tyler Higbee (Achilles), T Alaric Jackson (hamstring), S John Johnson (face), and WR Ben Skowronek (Achilles) are the Rams’ questionable players.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson (concussion) is good to go, but C Ryan Kelly (concussion) and T Bernhard Raimann (concussion) are not going to play. DT DeForest Buckner (groin, back), QB Sam Ehlinger (right shoulder), and G Quenton Nelson (toe) are all listed as questionable.
Buccaneers at Saints
CB Carlton Davis (toe) could return for the Bucs after being listed as questionable, but CB Jamel Dean (neck/shoulder), DL Calijah Kancey (calf), CB Derrick Pitts (hamstring), and LB SirVocea Dennis (hamstring) are all out. DT Vita Vea (pectoral) and linebacker Devin White (foot) are also questionable.
Saints QB Derek Carr (right shoulder) is listed as questionable after returning to practice on Friday.
Commanders at Eagles
RB Chris Rodriguez (illness) is out for the Commanders and S Percy Butler (foot) is listed as questionable.
The Eagles ruled out S Sydney Brown (hamstring) and WR Quez Watkins (hamstring). S Justin Evans (neck) is considered questionable.
Bengals at Titans
QB Joe Burrow (calf) will start for the Bengals. TE Irv Smith (hamstring) is out and LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee) is questionable.
WR Treylon Burks (knee), G Peter Skoronski (abdomen), CB Elijah Molden (hamstring), and LB Luke Gifford (hamstring) are out for the Titans.
Raiders at Chargers
QB Jimmy Garoppolo (concussion) and EDGE Maxx Crosby (knee) headline the Raiders report. Both are listed as questionable along with CB Nate Hobbs (ankle), S Roderic Teamer (Achilles), and DE Malcolm Koonce (groin). LB Curtis Bolton (knee) is out.
The Chargers are set to play without RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) and Derwin James (hamstring) after listing them as doubtful. EDGE Joey Bosa (hamstring, toe) and S Alohi Gilman (heel) drew questionable tags. CB Deane Leonard (hamstring) is doubtful while C Corey Linsley (illness) and S JT Woods (illness) were ruled out.
Patriots at Cowboys
DT Christian Barmore (knee), DT Davon Godchaux (ankle), CB Jonathan Jones (ankle), G Cole Strange (knee), and CB Shaun Wade (shoulder) are questionable for the Patriots.
Cowboys G Zack Martin (ankle) and C Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) are questionable to play, but T Tyron Smith (knee) has been ruled out. TE Peyton Hendershot (ankle) is also questionable.
Cardinals at 49ers
DE Jonathan Ledbetter (finger) and LB Josh Woods (ankle) are out for the Cardinals. LB Krys Barnes (finger), WR Marquise Brown (thumb), RB Keaontay Ingram (neck), and T Paris Johnson (ankle) make up their questionable group.
WR Brandon Aiyuk (shoulder) is set to play for the 49ers, but WR Deebo Samuel (rib, knee) is questionable and WR Jauan Jennings (knee) is doubtful. RB Elijah Mitchell (knee), LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (ankle), and LB Dre Greenlaw (ankle) are also in the questionable group.
Chiefs at Jets
If Taylor Swift and Aaron Rodgers are at Sunday night’s game, they won’t be seeing Chiefs LB Nick Bolton (ankle) or CB Jaylen Warren (shoulder).
The Jets ruled out S Tony Adams (hamstring) and G Wes Schweitzer (concussion).
Jimmy Garoppolo is not the only key Raiders player whose availability is unclear for Sunday’s game against the Chargers.
Garoppolo (concussion) is questionable, as he still needs to clear the final stages of the protocol. Edge rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) is also questionable after he was limited in practice on Friday. Crosby did not practice on Thursday.
Head coach Josh McDaniels noted in his Friday press conference that the team was trying to make “smart decisions” with Crosby and some other players with practice time this week.
Elsewhere on the injury report, linebacker Curtis Bolton (knee) has been ruled out.
Cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle), safety Roderic Teamer (Achilles), and defensive end Malcolm Koonce (groin) are questionable. Hobbs was added to the injury report on Friday after he was limited in practice.
Cornerback Jakorian Bennett (hamstring) and defensive tackle Byron Young (ankle) have no game status and are expected to play.
The Chargers list running back Austin Ekeler as doubtful for Sunday’s game. He was limited in Friday’s practice with a high-ankle sprain.
The team has its off week in Week 5, so Ekeler will get two more weeks to heal if he doesn’t play against the Raiders.
The Chargers rushed for 233 yards on 40 carries in the season opener when they had Ekeler. They have rushed for 91 yards on 36 carries in the two games without him.
The Chargers also list safety Derwin James (hamstring) as doubtful after he missed practice all week. Cornerback Deane Leonard (hamstring) has a doubtful designation as well after popping up on the report Thursday.
Edge rusher Joey Bosa (hamstring/toe) didn’t practice all week and is questionable for Sunday.
The Chargers ruled out center Corey Linsley (illness) and safety JT Woods (illness). Safety Alohi Gilman (heel) is questionable.