Chargers vs. Patriots Injury Report: 4 Health Issues to Watch

The San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots meet in a pivotal Sunday match up. Both teams might be without key players that could end up giving an edge to either of the offensive juggernauts.

Health is key, especially for these early season match-ups when most teams are at their healthiest. If the Chargers and Patriots hope to play to their potential, they'll need every body on the field.

These four players were all listed on the injury report and could miss Sunday.

Leigh Bodden

Bodden injured his back and did not practice with the Patriots on Wednesday.

Bodden would be a big loss for an already weak Patriots secondary. Bodden is a solid player and any cornerback that would try and take his place would get picked on by Phillip Rivers early and often. Devin McCourty can hold his own, but if the Pats lose a key defensive back a match versus Phillip Rivers things could get ugly.

He is currently listed as questionable on the injury report.

Albert Haynesworth

Haynesworth played well during the Dolphins game, notching two tackles and being a massive run stopper as Reggie Bush struggled to run up the middle.

The Patriots shiny new motivated Haynesworth would be a big loss if he did not participate. The Patriots essentially moved to the 4-3 because of Haynesworth and his abilities.

Haynesworth is listed on the injury report with an illness, but is probable for the game.

Mike Tolbert

Tolbert had an absolutely terrific first game, notching 35 yards on the ground with a touchdown and 58 yards through the air for another two touchdowns.

He is a key part of the Chargers offense, since Ryan Mathews is still an unreliable pass blocker on third down. He is a bowling ball of a man who will be needed to punch in short yardage touchdowns against the likes of Haynesworth and Vince Wilfork.

Tolbert is listed with a knee injury that was declared healthy on Monday. He was not on Wednesday's practice/injury report. However, a setback in practice could jeopardize his status for Sunday. 

Larry English

English has largely been a disappointment up to this point, but is still an okay player and with how thin the Chargers are at running back, it would be a disappointing loss.

English was a surprise healthy inactive against the Vikings last Sunday. He suffered foot and knee problems that caused him to miss three out of the four preseason games.

It is likely the coaches decided to sit him to make sure he was good to go. We'll know more come Sunday.