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The Los Angeles Chargers have officially ruled out wide receiver Mike Williams (back) and running back Justin Jackson (calf) for Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins. In addition, kicker Michael Badgley (groin), tight end Virgil Green (groin) and tight end Hunter Henry (knee) will not play.
Wide receiver Travis Benjamin (hip) is doubtful. Cornerback Casey Heyward (back) and linebacker Drue Tranquill (ankle) are both questionable.
With Mike Williams out, wide receiver Keenan Allen will carry the brunt of the workload in the passing game. That's especially true considering Benjamin, Green and Henry are out. In the wake of Williams and Benjamin's absence, Dontrelle Inman, Geremy Davis and Andre Patton will see an uptick in snaps on Sunday.
Running back Melvin Gordon — who recently came back to the true following a lengthy holdout — could play with Justin Jackson out. Though early indications pointed to Gordon sitting the week to get back in football shape, coach Anthony Lynn didn't rule out the possibility of him playing.
If Gordon doesn't play, Austin Ekeler will handle a high workload. Troymaine Pope would be his backup. The team can also call Detrez Newman up from the practice squad.
The Chargers are one of the most beat-up teams in the NFL. Through three weeks of play, they've lost key pieces to their offense, defense and special teams. Before the season started, they lost their All-Pro second-year safety Derwin James to a stress fracture in his right foot (which will sideline him for three months). Los Angeles' Week 12 bye can't come soon enough.
