Which players are resting, injured, playing in Chargers vs. Broncos in Week 18?

Ravens-Bengals Result: The Ravens lost to the Bengals, 27-16. This certified that the Chargers will hold the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff picture. They will face the Tennessee Titans in the Wild Card round next week, and a win or loss this week doesn’t affect their standing. Look for starters to sit or get ample rest in this game.

Pre-game update: The Bengals are finishing off the Ravens, which means the Chargers will clinch the No. 5 seed before taking the field against the Broncos. It’s a safe bet they either sit starters from the get-go, or sit them early in the game.

Game-day update: There is a good chance the Ravens end up losing to the Bengals in the early game, as they are resting their starters. That means Chargers would likely rest some starters, as a Ravens loss means the Chargers won’t have anything to play for in their matchup.

The Los Angeles Chargers take on the Denver Broncos in Week 18. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 8. The Chargers have already clinched a playoff berth, while the Broncos are out of the postseason picture completely.

Players resting for Chargers

Fullback Zander Horvath is the only player on the injury report for the Chargers this week, listed as questionable with an ankle issue. The Chargers can’t get a bye in the playoffs at this point, but their seeding is still up for grabs. They are currently the No. 5 seed and would clinch that specific seed ahead of their game, which would make this meaningless.

The Chargers are three-point underdogs to the Broncos at DraftKings Sportsbook, an unexpected line that points toward several Chargers starters resting for the matchup. The Bolts were one of the most consistently injured teams in the NFL this season, so this could be a major factor in their journey back to a fully healthy roster ahead of the playoffs.

Players resting for Broncos

The Broncos have several players who will be sitting on the bench for this season ender. Tackle Calvin Anderson (ankle), wide receiver Kendall Hinton (chest, foot), and defensive tackle D.J. Jones (knee) are all out, and defensive end Jonathan Kongbo (illness), cornerback Damarri Mathis (concussion), tight end Eric Saubert (knee), tight end Eric Tomlinson (ankle), and tackle Billy Turner (back) are all questionable.

It’s unlikely that the Broncos rest any of their starters unless they are dealing with health issues or injuries. This will be the final game of the season for the Broncos.