Chargers rule out six for Bills game, including Pipkins and Awosika

The Chargers will head to Buffalo without six players after Friday's final Week 3 injury report, including two offensive linemen and two defensive regulars. Their official designation list rules out safety Elijah Molden, defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, tackle Trey Pipkins III, guard Kayode Awosika, receiver Brenen Thompson and tight end Charlie Kolar. The Chargers and Bills are scheduled for Sunday at Highmark Stadium. Friday's designations do not settle the starting lineup or the number of snaps available to those who are cleared.

The offensive line is a particular point to watch. Awosika did not practice all week with a fibula injury, and Pipkins also missed all three practices with a knee injury. In a Chargers team preview, coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier in the week that Trevor Penning would take the starting left guard spot if Pipkins remained unavailable. Both Pipkins and Awosika are now ruled out, but the team has not issued a final Sunday lineup. Penning played 30 offensive snaps against the Raiders in Week 2, the team reported, including work at both guard spots.

At tight end, Kolar's forearm injury removes another option. The Chargers said David Njoku was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week. That puts Oronde Gadsden in a larger role after a rookie season in which the team credits him with 664 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The club added Hayden Rucci from Jacksonville's practice squad Tuesday, according to its preview. Those moves show how the room has changed since the previous game; they do not guarantee a particular target share against Buffalo.

The defensive absences matter as well. Molden and Tomlinson did not practice Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Corner Rodney Shelley is questionable with a hamstring injury after limited work Friday, while linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu was a full participant and has no game designation. Derwin James and Khalil Mack are also off the final report. On offense, Ladd McConkey, Rashawn Slater and Cole Strange have no game designations after appearing on the practice list earlier in the week.

Buffalo's own Friday report lists wide receivers Keon Coleman and DJ Moore as questionable. The Bills also list defensive lineman Ed Oliver as questionable and rule out defensive backs Jordan Hancock and defensive lineman T.J. Sanders. These labels describe Friday's availability picture, not a promise that every questionable player will play or sit. The decisive check comes with Sunday's inactive lists before kickoff. For Los Angeles, the confirmed losses on the line and at tight end make its personnel choices against Buffalo especially consequential.