Reinforcements Arrive for the Chargers

Injured players are back in time for season's stretch run

For the Chargers, the bye week was a lot like those old Milk commercials; it did their bodies good.

The injury report for Sunday's game In Houston is out and a few important pieces are back, especially on defense. Safety Jahleel Addae, who shattered his collarbone on a huge hit at the end of the Week 2 win over the Jaguars, practiced in full all week and will be back on the field at NRG Stadium for the first time since the injury.

Addae is only in his 4th year but he's the longest-tenured member of the San Diego secondary so having his experience will be a nice asset against the Texans, especially since Houston quarterback Brock Osweiler has the propensity to throw the ball to the other team (10 interceptions, only 12 touchdown passes in 2016).

Joining Addae in the starting lineup is linebacker Denzel Perryman, who is back from his hamstring injury. Perryman missed the last two games and has not been the same player since getting hurt in a Week 7 win in Atlanta when he made an interception in the 4th quarter and a 4th down stop in overtime and won the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week award.

Those two cats alone make the Bolts defense better. Wide receiver Travis Benjamin is back to improve the offense.

Although officially listed as questionable, Benjamin says he’s recovered from a knee injury and expects to play in Texas. He’s the deep threat that adds a new dimension to a Chargers passing attack. Fellow wideout Jeremy Butler is also questionable but practiced in full on Thursday and Friday and should be available.

The only players who have been ruled out against the Texans are linebacker Jatavis Brown (knee), cornerback Brandon Flowers (concussion) and tight end Asante Cleveland (concussion/knee).

Meanwhile, Houston is hurting in a big way. They’re coming off a short week and a long trip to Mexico City, where they lost to the Raiders on Monday Night Football. They will not have backup running backs Alfred Blue or Tyler Ervin or wide receiver Jaelen Strong, their number three wideout.

But the biggest loss might be outside linebacker John Simon, their third-leading tackler who has the second-most sacks on the team.

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