San Diego Chargers King Dunlap won’t play

San Diego Chargers offensive tackle King Dunlap (77) drops back to block during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Chargers star quarterback Philip Rivers is no stranger to awful play from his offensive line, and the struggles from the guys up front trickled down to Rivers and made him look worse over the past couple of years. Some upgrades on the line this offseason have turned the Chargers OLs into a group that is no longer completely dysfunctional, and this in turn has made Rivers’s stats look great through three weeks. However, the San Diego Chargers offensive line was banged up all of last year, and they will be banged up this week against the Dallas Cowboys. Going up against pass rushers like DeMarcus Ware and George Selvie, Rivers could be in for a long day behind center if a backup doesn’t step up.

According to a source close to Michael Gehlken of the U-T San Diego, Chargers starting left tackle King Dunlap is not ready to play after suffering a concussion in last week’s loss to the Tennessee Titans, so Mike Harris will have to start in his stead. Dunlap is no great shakes, but he can start at LT without embarrassing himself, and that alone was enough for Rivers to make things work. Right guard Jeromey Clary is a liability on the San Diego Chargers offensive line, but he is also not expected to play this week with a clavicle injury.

Dunlap wasn’t expected to play tomorrow due to the concussion, but that doesn’t make things any easier for the Chargers offense. Harris could be in for a very rough day against DeMarcus Ware, so the Chargers will have to hope that rookie D.J. Fluker can hold down the fort in pass protection on the other side of the offensive line.

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