Chargers to Relocate to Los Angeles

SAN DIEGO, CA – Dean Spanos, Chairman of the Chargers, announced this morning that the team is relocating to Los Angeles and will begin the 2017 NFL season as the Los Angeles Chargers.

 “San Diego has been our home for 56 years. It will always be part of our identity and, my family and I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the support and passion our fans have shared with us over the years,” said Spanos in a written message posted to Chargers.com.

“But, today we turn the page and begin an exciting new era as the Los Angeles Chargers,” said Spanos. “L.A. is a remarkable place, and while we played our first season there in 1960 and have had fans there ever since, our entire organization knows that we have a tremendous amount of work to do. We must earn the respect and support of LA football fans.  We must get back to winning. And, we must make a meaningful contribution, not just on the field, but off the field as a leader and champion for the community.”

“The Chargers are determined to fight for LA and we are excited to get started,” he concluded. 

After much deliberation, I have made the decision to relocate the Chargers to Los Angeles, beginning with the 2017 NFL season.

San Diego has been our home for 56 years.  It will always be part of our identity, and my family and I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the support and passion our fans have shared with us over the years.

But today, we turn the page and begin an exciting new era as the Los Angeles Chargers.

LA is a remarkable place, and while we played our first season there in 1960 and have had fans there ever since, our entire organization knows that we have a tremendous amount of work to do.  We must earn the respect and support of LA football fans.  We must get back to winning.  And, we must make a meaningful contribution, not just on the field, but off the field as a leader and champion for the community.

The Chargers are determined to fight for LA and we are excited to get started.

Dean A. Spanos
Owner – Chairman of the Board

As this announcement was made by Spanos, the team launched www.FightforLA.com, a website that allows fans to place a fully refundable $100 deposit on season tickets for the 2017 season. Current Chargers Season Ticket Members will maintain their priority status and are not required to make a deposit.

FightforLA.com also revealed that the Chargers temporary home will be  StubHub Center, located on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, which is owned and operated by AEG.

Capacity for Chargers games at StubHub Center will be 30,000 seats, with approximately 3,000 premium and field seats, 46 suites, 16 cabanas, and 10,000 on-site parking spaces. 

“The experience for our fans at StubHub Center will be fun and entertaining, and every seat will feel close to the action,” said A.G. Spanos, President - Business Operations for the Chargers. “This is a unique opportunity to see NFL action in such an intimate setting. The new stadium at Hollywood Park will be a tremendous stage, and we can’t wait to play there, but right now it’s about introducing ourselves and getting to know new fans and partners in a special, one-of-a-kind setting.”

The fully-refundable $100 deposit allows fans to reserve up to four seats at StubHub Center, ensures priority status for 2017 Chargers season tickets, and grants priority status for seats at the new Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park, the future home of the Chargers.

The Chargers also revealed a new advertising mark borne out of the team’s iconic lightning bolt and historic shield introduced in the 1960’s. This new mark and fresh take on “LA” is part of a larger identity campaign called “Fight for LA” intended to convey the commitment of the Spanos family and entire Chargers organization to earn the respect and loyalty of Los Angeles football fans. The new mark can be found here on Chargers.com: www.fightforla.com

“Our ultimate goal is to bring L.A. a Super Bowl championship,” said John Spanos, President of Football Operations. “When we say we will fight for L.A., this is the essence of our pledge. “

ESPN: Chargers plan to announce move to LA

By BERNIE WILSON
Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Chargers appear ready to leave San Diego, their home of 56 seasons, for the potentially more lucrative but crowded Los Angeles market.

Hours after the Chargers were granted a two-day extension to exercise their option to relocate to Los Angeles, a media report surfaced Wednesday night that the team plans to move.

The Chargers have called a staff meeting for 8 a.m. PST Thursday, a team employee said Wednesday night. The employee spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. The employee said the topic of the meeting hadn't been divulged.

Team chairman Dean Spanos didn't return a message left at his home.

Citing league sources, ESPN.com reported Wednesday night that the Chargers plan to announce as early as Thursday that they are moving to Los Angeles. According to the report, the Chargers have notified NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and the owners of other teams, of their intent to move to Los Angeles for the 2017 season.

ESPN.com reported that nothing was final.

However, relations have been strained for years between the Chargers, who've sought a big public subsidy to replace aging Qualcomm Stadium, and City Hall, which has been beset by scandals and various economic crises.

If the Chargers announce Thursday that they're leaving, it will surely put a damper on Mayor Kevin Faulconer's state of the city address.

Faulconer formed a task force in 2015 to try to find a stadium solution, but the Chargers didn't like its recommendation and walked away from negotiations with the city and county. Faulconer recently met with Spanos, and helped cobble together a $375 million package from the city, county and San Diego State, which also plays football at Qualcomm Stadium.

If the Chargers leave, it will come less than three months after voters resoundingly rejected a team-sponsored measure asking for $1.15 billion in increased hotel occupancy taxes to help fund a $1.8 billion downtown stadium and convention center.

They would leave behind a loyal fan base that cheered for Dan Fouts, Charlie Joiner and Kellen Winslow during the Air Coryell years in the 1970s and early 1980s, and for Junior Seau, Stan Humphries and Natrone Means on the Chargers' only Super Bowl team in 1994.

San Diego would become a tenant in the stadium being built in Inglewood for the Rams if the Chargers exercise that option. If not, the Oakland Raiders would have the option to join the Rams in the L.A. area, though Raiders owner Mark Davis has indicated his intention to seek a move to Las Vegas.

The Chargers would have to find a temporary home in L.A., either the Coliseum or the 27,000-seat StubHub! Center in Carson.

San Diego was given the option to move to L.A. after owners rejected a proposed shared stadium for the Chargers and Raiders in Carson, and accepted the Rams' plans for Inglewood. The owners gave the Chargers and Raiders each an additional $100 million to try to make stadium deals in their home markets.

The NFL's stadium and finance committees met Wednesday for about 3 1/2 hours to discuss relocation of the Chargers and Raiders. The fact-finding meetings mostly centered on the Raiders' plan for a potential move to Nevada. No filings for relocation were made; Oakland has until Feb. 15.

"There was little to no discussion on the topic of the Chargers," league executive Eric Grubman said.

And no decisions were planned nor made at the meeting, in which all members of the two committees took part, some by teleconference. Those owners are finance chairman Bob McNair of Houston, along with Atlanta's Arthur Blank, Tampa Bay's Joel Glazer, Kansas City's Clark Hunt, Indianapolis' Jim Irsay, Jacksonville's Shahid Khan, New England's Robert Kraft, Philadelphia's Jeffrey Lurie and Miami's Steve Ross.

Participating from the stadium committee were chairman Art Rooney of Pittsburgh, Arizona's Michael Bidwill, the Jets' Woody Johnson, Dallas' Stephen Jones, Chicago's George H. McCaskey and San Francisco's Jed York.

The owners did talk about possible relocation fees, though Rooney said no specific numbers were discussed. PJT Partners, which analyzed what the relocation fee for the Rams' move from St. Louis last year should be, has been hired by the league to do the same job again. The Rams paid $550 million to move to L.A.

Much of the meeting was taken up with the Raiders presenting financial updates. Rooney and Grubman said there was no discussion of Las Vegas casino owner Sheldon Adelson's potential role in the Raiders' relocation. Rooney noted NFL rules and policies that would prohibit a casino owner from having ownership of a franchise.

"It would have to be in compliance with our rules," Rooney said. "The Raiders are looking at the potential of doing without Mr. Adelson if it comes down to that."

Chargers meet with Chiefs ST Coordinator Dave Toub for HC job

The San Diego Chargers announced on Sunday they’ve met with Kansas City Chiefs Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub for their head coach vacancy. He is the fourth coach the team has interviewed during their search.

Toub, 54, is currently in his 16th year as an NFL coach. His current position is Special Teams Coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Toub first joined the NFL in 2001 with the Eagles as the first ever quality control coach on special teams, serving under John Harbough.

Three years later, the Chicago Bears hired Toub as their special teams coordinator. 

Toub was voted the Special Teams Coach of the Year in 2006 as his unit played an instrumental role in the Bears capturing the NFC title.

Entering 2016, Toub's Chiefs led the NFL in kick return average (27.2) and six combined returns for touchdowns.  Last year, they ranked third in the NFL in average opponent starting field position.

Kelly, McCoy, Baalke latest to feel the NFL ax

By BARRY WILNER
Associated Press

Bono and the guys in U2 are big football fans, as in soccer.

So when they sang about "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day," they had no intention of describing the end of the 2016 NFL season.

Yet, the firings of Chip Kelly and Trent Baalke in San Francisco, Mike McCoy in San Diego, and the resignation of Gary Kubiak for health reasons in Denver certainly rang true to those rock classics.

Usually, the axings take place the day after the regular season concludes. Except, of course, for the teams in a rush to get into the personnel market extra early, which in '16 were the Jaguars (Gus Bradley), Rams (Jeff Fisher) and Bills (Rex Ryan).

On Sunday, while other franchises were scrambling to make the playoffs or improve their postseason standing, the coaching carousel spun wildly in California. With Fisher already canned in Los Angeles, Kelly and McCoy became unemployed within an hour of each other.

Both moves were predictable, as was the release of Baalke, whose success as a GM with the 49ers now, it's clear, was dependent on how Jim Harbaugh molded and improved the players Baalke gave him. Baalke won a power struggle with Harbaugh, who headed to Michigan. The Niners became historically bad without him, and Baalke's choice of Kelly to work with such a weak roster looks worse than hiring caretaker Jim Tomsula after Harbaugh left. At least Tomsula went 5-11, three more victories than Kelly managed.

Indeed, his only wins in a 2-14 record came against the Rams, so maybe LA owner Stan Kroenke will turn to Kelly.

Don't count on it.

"Despite my feelings for Trent and Chip, I felt the decision to change our football leadership was absolutely necessary," 49ers CEO Jed York said in a statement. "The performance of this team has not lived up to my expectations or those of our fans, and that is truly disappointing. We all expected to see this team progress and develop as the season went on, but unfortunately that did not happen. That is why now is the time to find a new direction for this team."

The new direction for the Chargers looks like it will be north a bit to become a tenant of Kroenke and the Rams in the new Inglewood, California palace that will open in a few years. McCoy's team lost its last five games and finished second for two straight seasons in the tough AFC West. Injuries tore it apart, too, but with the focus on whether the Chargers would move to LA, it was hard to judge what kind of job McCoy was doing.

Apparently Chargers chairman Dean Spanos wants a totally fresh start when the club abandons its long-time home.

Which means both of the new teams in Los Angeles, which was without the NFL since 1995 until the Rams moved back last year, will be riding the coaching carousel.

More moves could be coming, too. Is Chuck Pagano safe in Indianapolis? Might the Saints do something with Sean Payton? What about Bears coach John Fox?

Safe for another year are Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan, who the Jets are bringing back. And Cleveland coach Hue Jackson, despite a 1-15 record. And Marvin Lewis despite the meltdown in Cincinnati.

The saddest news comes from Denver. Never was there a question about Gary Kubiak returning after leading the Broncos to their Super Bowl win last February. But Kubiak's health issues forced him to step aside, disappointing fans, players and John Elway alike.

"We love Kube, we love how he treated us," said cornerback Aqib Talib. "We pray he gets healthy."

Denver won't have any trouble filling Kubiak's spot. One of the hot candidates, for example, is Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, son of Mike Shanahan, who coached Elway to two Super Bowl championships.

Given how well Kubiak fit in the Broncos' family, such a hire makes a lot of sense.

Then again, sensibility isn't always a criteria in NFL coaching circles.

Seeds of hope for Chiefs, seeds of change for Chargers

Stats, LLC

The always interesting world of divisional football in the NFL can often make for strange bedfellows.

That’s a big part of the script for Sunday’s AFC West matchup at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium between the Chargers (5-10) and Kansas City Chiefs (11-4). The Chiefs go into the game as a 5 1/2-point favorite.

Kansas City already has a spot in the AFC playoffs that begin next weekend, but the Chiefs want to win the division so they can claim a week off and host a home game in the second-round of postseason play. For that to happen, they must beat San Diego and Denver needs to beat Oakland in a game that will be played at the same time.

With that combination, the Raiders (12-3) and Chiefs would tie, but Kansas City would get first place and a No. 2 seed in the AFC bracket because of two victories over Oakland in the regular season.

So you have the Chiefs rooting for the Broncos, a team they just beat 33-10 on Christmas night. Kansas City also has a 10-game winning streak within the division.

Then there are the Chargers, with nothing on the line when it comes to the playoffs, but dispatching Kansas City would hand the division title to the team they love to hate the most, the Raiders.

“It’s a little bit weird thinking we can be winning a game to help Oakland win the division,” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. “For us this week is about being a pro and going about it the right way and winning another division game.”

Indications are that coaches Andy Reid and Mike McCoy plan to field normal lineups for the game.

For Kansas City, that’s necessary to have a shot at the division title. But San Diego has other goals, including possibly helping McCoy save his job after posting a 27-38 record during the last four seasons as coach.

“We only know how to play one way here and that’s the way we’ve always played regardless what part of the season,” McCoy said. “There’s a way that we play. I don’t see that changing one bit this weekend.”

The Chargers won’t have running back Melvin Gordon (hip, knee) for the third straight week. Gordon will finish three years shy of his first 1,000-yard rushing season.

The Chiefs are expecting that approach largely because of Rivers, who holds a 13-9 record as a starter against Kansas City.

“You better not snooze at all with that guy,” Reid said. “He is a competitor and he makes everybody around him better. That’s what great quarterbacks do. He’s a heck of a player.”

Also hanging over the game is the prospect that it will be the last appearance of the Chargers in San Diego.

Stadium issues have plagued the franchise for the last 20 years and San Diego voters in November rejected a ballot initiative to fund a new building through an increase to the city’s hotel tax. The measure needed 66.7 percent positive votes for a new stadium, but it received just 43.6 percent, with more than 306,000 voters rejecting the plan.

The Chargers have until Jan. 15 to exercise an option the team received from the NFL a year ago where they can join the Los Angeles Rams in an under-construction stadium in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood.

There have been conversations between the team and San Diego politicians to work out some sort of agreement in recent weeks. Chargers owner Dean Spanos says the team will not make a decision on 2017 until after Sunday’s game.

In their final home game last season, the Chargers went in thinking it would be the end of playing in San Diego. On that Sunday, they grabbed a 30-14 victory over Miami before ending the 2015 schedule with two road games.

“It was a wide range of emotions that came out of that game and it was mostly good memories that you had from games in the stadium,” Rivers said. “I felt it was truly going to be the last time I stepped in there. All that balled up and then we won the game in what was a tough year.

“I just don’t know if you can do that over again, even though we are kind of in the same boat. It was pretty special and I don’t think you can re-enact that.”

There will be some emotions for Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith on Sunday. He grew up in San Diego and to him Qualcomm Stadium has always meant football.

“I played there in high school and I played there in college,” Smith said. “I think it’d be strange and sad if the Chargers left. That’s just for me personally; obviously I’m getting ready to play a game so it’s not on the forefront of my mind. Definitely sad; I hope they stay.”

Chargers RB Melvin Gordon, Raiders DE Khalil Mack and Colts KR Jordan Todman named AFC Players of Week 9

Running back Melvin Gordon of the San Diego Chargers, defensive end Khalil Mack of the Oakland Raiders and kick returner Jordan Todman of the Indianapolis Colts are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the ninth week of the 2016 season (November 3, 6-7).

Gordon rushed 196 yards in 32 attempts on Sunday, and received for one touchdown in four receptions for 65 yards as well in the Chargers' 43-35 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Mack recorded 3 tackles (2 solo), 2 sacks (-17 yards), 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 1 pass defensed in the Raiders’ 30-20 victory over the Denver Broncos. He dominated the Broncos’ offensive line throughout the game, leading a defense that held Denver to 299 total yards and 33 rushing yards.

Todman took off on a 99-yard kick return to start the Colts' 31-26 victory on Sunday. The kick return for a touchdown was the first the Colts have had since Deji Karim’s in 2012. It was the team’s first opening-kick return for a touchdown since 1995 (Aaron Bailey). Also, Todman provided a 61-yard return in the second quarter, which led to an Adam Vinatieri field goal.

Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi, Chargers LB Denzel Perryman and Raiders P Marquette King named AFC Players of Week 7

Running back Jay Ajayi of the Miami Dolphins, linebacker Denzel Perryman of the San Diego Chargers and punter Marquette King of the Oakland Raiders are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the seventh week of the 2016 season (October 20, 23-24).

Ajayi, who was honored last week after his 204-yard rushing day against the Pittsburgh Steelers, becomes the first Dolphins player to win a Player of the Week award in consecutive weeks since the NFL began honoring the best offensive and defensive players in 1984. Overall, he is the first player in the NFL to win Player of the  Week awards in consecutive weeks since 2014 when Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger was honored for Week 8 and Week 9 after throwing six touchdown passes in each game.

Perryman’s interception of a Matt Ryan pass helped set up a game-tying field goal for the Chargers. He followed that up with an even bigger play, stopping Devonta Freeman for a loss on fourth down in overtime, which allowed the Chargers to kick their game-winning field goal.

King made 5 punts for 273 yards (54.6 gross avg. and 50.6 net avg.) with a 60-yard long and four punts placed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line and one inside the 10-yard line, and one rush for 27 yards in the Raiders’ 33-16 road win over the Jaguars in Week 7. His 27-yard rush was the longest by a punter since 2010.

Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi, Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower and Chargers P Drew Kaser named AFC Players of Week 6

Running back Jay Ajayi of the Miami Dolphins, linebacker Dont'a Hightower of the New England Patriots and punter Drew Kaser of the San Diego Chargers are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the sixth week of the 2016 season (October 13, 16-17).

Ajayi becomes the ninth Dolphins running back to be named AFC Offensive Player of the Week since the award began in 1984 and the first since Week 2 of the 2012 season when Reggie Bush was recognized for his performance against the Oakland Raiders. Other Dolphins running back to win AFC POW honors were Troy Stradford (1987, Week 11); Sammie Smith (1990, Week 1); Bernie Parmalee (1994, Week 15); Karim Abdul-Jabbar (1996, Week 1); Lamar Smith (2000, Week 1 and AFC First-Round Playoff Game); Ricky Williams (2002, Weeks 12 and 14; 2009, Week 11); Ronnie Brown (2008, Week 3); and Bush (2011, Week 15; 2012, Week 2). 

Hightower finished the game with a team-high 13 total tackles, 1 1/2 sacks, including one sack that resulted in a safety and two quarterback hits. Hightower dropped Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton in the end zone for an eight-yard sack and a safety in the third quarter. It marks his second career NFL points. Hightower returned a fumble six yards for a touchdown in his very first NFL game at Tennessee on Sept. 9, 2012. He registered a 10-tackle performance for the 14th time in his career.

Kaser was named AFC special teams player of the week, after putting four of his five punts inside the 20 in San Diego’s upset win over the Broncos. When the Chargers lost to the Raiders last week, he mishandled a potential game-tying field goal, and his holding duties were given to backup quarterback Kellen Clemens. He was off to a slow start this year, and ranks 31st in the league in gross average (41.0 yards per punt) and 27th in net (37.6).

Rivers leads Chargers to 21-13 victory against Broncos

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Henry during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Music blared louder than normal in the San Diego Chargers' locker room, and there was a sense of relief Thursday night after a victory over the Denver Broncos.

The Chargers had actually finished.

Philip Rivers threw for 178 yards and one touchdown, passing Hall of Famer Dan Fouts to become San Diego's career passing leader, and the Chargers held off the Broncos 21-13.

The victory may have saved embattled coach Mike McCoy's job.

The Chargers (2-4) were coming off a mistake-filled loss at Oakland, and earlier in the season lost three games in which they led at the 2-minute warning. There has been increasing fan discontent with the conservative McCoy, and the Chargers are trying to convince voters to approve a $1.1 billion public handout for a new downtown stadium in the form of an increase in the hotel occupancy tax.

"There is nothing like winning," a misty-eyed McCoy said. "Especially beating a good football team in front of are home fans. It was great."

The victory "meant a ton for Mike," Rivers said. "It wasn't talked about a lot on the team but veteran players ... I felt it. Not that I expected it if it didn't go well. I had no idea but you also you are not playing dumb. We knew we had to get this thing going in a hurry."

The Broncos had the ball in the final seconds, but the Chargers — who had two turnovers on special teams —held.

"You can't take winning for granted in this league," defensive end Corey Liuget said. "When I saw it said 0:00 and that guy didn't catch that ball, I was happy as hell. I got on my damn knee and said, 'Thank you Lord. It's over now.'"

What changed from those brutal losses, when the Chargers blew late leads?

"It was a mindset for us to go out there and finish, and everyone knew we were going to finish this game," Li

The defending Super Bowl champion Broncos were coached by special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis after Gary Kubiak was ordered by doctors to sit this one out because of a migraine condition that mimics strokes.

"You have to give them credit," DeCamillis said. "We know it would be a tough game because they have played a lot of close games and not won."

The five-time defending AFC West champion Broncos (4-2) were mostly sluggish behind Trevor Siemian, who was back at quarterback after rookie Paxton Lynch struggled in a loss to Atlanta. They lost their second straight game and had their NFL-record 15 straight divisional road victories snapped.

The Chargers snapped their streak of 10 straight divisional losses dating to 2014.

Rivers, in his 13th season with the Chargers and 11th as starter, has 43,094 career yards passing. Fouts threw for 43,040 yards in 15 seasons with the Bolts.

Rivers threw a 5-yard scoring pass to rookie tight end Hunter Henry to cap the game's first possession. Rivers finished 18 of 29.

Otherwise, the Chargers had to settle for Lambo's career-high four field goals, of 37, 21, 31 and 32 yards.

LATE-FIRING BRONCOS: Denver didn't get across the 50 on its own accord until there were just 2 minutes left in the third quarter. Denver's first score came after a punt bounced off San Diego's Travis Benjamin and the Broncos recovered at the San Diego 11. The refs initially ruled that the Broncos downed the punt, but Denver challenged and got the ball. Brandon McManus kicked a 29-yard field goal.

Siemian was 30 of 50 for 230 yards, with a 5-yard scoring pass to Bennie Fowler midway through the fourth quarter.

McManus kicked a 46-yard field goal with 27 seconds left, and Denver recovered the onside kick at its 46. It got to the San Diego 45 with eight seconds to go before Siemian's desperation pass was batted down by Dexter McCoil.

DEFENSIVE STAND: The Broncos were threatening at the San Diego 20 with less than 5 minutes to go. But on consecutive plays they were whistled for holding, Siemian was sacked by rookie Jatavis Brown and San Diego's Craig Mager recovered a fumble by Demaryius Thomas.

RIVERBOAT MIKE: McCoy went for it on fourth-and-1 from the Denver 20 early in the second half, with Melvin Gordon going over the top for a 1-yard gain. Rivers misfired on two straight passes and was flushed on third down, forcing the Chargers to settle for Lambo's 37-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead. McCoy improved to 25-31 overall in four seasons.

NEW HOLDER: Veteran backup quarterback Kellen Clemens took over as holder for the Chargers after rookie Drew Kaser's misadventure at Oakland on Sunday. Kaser mishandled the snap on a potential tying field goal with 2:07 left in the 34-31 loss. Kaser, who also shanked a punt, kept his job as punter but lost his job as holder.

ANTHEM WATCH: Chargers players Joe Barksdale, D.J. Fluker, Chris Hairston, Joshua Perry and Tyreek Burwell held up their right fists during the national anthem.

INJURIES: The Broncos said T Russell Okung was taken to a hospital with concussion-like symptoms. ... Chargers rookie DE Joey Bosa was having his right hand worked on by the trainers after Denver's first drive. He was back in for the next Broncos possession. ... Broncos WR Cody Latimer left with a concussion in the second quarter. ... Gordon limped off the field early in the fourth quarter. He had his right ankle taped and returned on San Diego's next possession.

Broncos QB Trevor Siemian to start against Chargers

Broncos QB Trevor Siemian has been named the
starter when the team faces the Chargers on
Thursday night.

Denver Broncos' QB Trevor Siemian will start on Thursday night against the San Diego Chargers after missing Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons with shoulder injury.

Siemian left the game late in the second quarter after being slammed to the ground on a sack by Tampa Bay's Clinton McDonald in Week 4.

Yesterday, Siemian had limited work for a third consecutive day. He was then listed questionable for Thursday's game.

Broncos OL DeMarcus Ware was ruled out for the game.

For the Chargers, safety Jahleel Addae (collarbone) and cornerback Brandon Flowers (concussion) were ruled out for the game. Six other players are questionable after seeing limited work this week: OT Joe Barksdale (foot), guard Orlando Franklin (ankle), OT Chris Hairston (groin), CB Craig Mager (shoulder), ILB Denzel Perryman (shoulder) and WR Dexter McCluster (hamstring).

Defending Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos Face Division-Rival San Diego Chargers on 'Thursday Night Football'

The 2016 Thursday Night Football Presented by Bud Light season continues when the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos face the San Diego Chargers in an AFC West divisional matchup this Thursday, October 13 (8:25 PM ET) from Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Calif. on CBS, NFL Network, Twitter and NFL Mobile from Verizon.​

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms along with reporter Tracy Wolfson call the action, and are joined by kicking analyst Jay Feely. 

At 6:00 PM ET on NFL Network, TNF GameDay Presented by KFC previews the Broncos-Chargers matchup from NFL Network's studios in Los Angeles. Host Rich Eisen is joined by analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin to provide news and analysis two hours before kickoff, while host Amber Theoharis and analyst Terrell Davis join from outside Qualcomm Stadium. Reporters Tracy Wolfson and Steve Wyche join to provide the latest news leading up to kickoff.

At 7:30 PM ET on CBS, NFL Network and Twitter, NFL Thursday Night Kickoff airs from inside Qualcomm Stadium with James Brown, Deion Sandersand Bill Cowher. Coverage continues at 8:00 PM ET with NFL Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Tostitos providing the final say leading up to kick-off between Broncos-Chargers.

Among the pregame topics are:

• Feature on All-Pro Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. The last three years have produced not only a career-defining Super Bowl championship but also the birth of his young daughters. Thursday Night Kickoff goes home with Harris to Parker, Colo. to see how he balances the demand of being a full-time athlete with those of being a full-time Dad
• Deion Sanders and Bill Cowher take to the field to demonstrate the Chargers' gameplan against the Broncos' defense
• Discussion of rookie defensive end Joey Bosa's impact on the Chargers' defense
• What have we learned about Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian in his four starts?
• Does Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers have enough around him to turn the season around?

At halftime, Brown, Sanders and Cowher break down the first half on the Lexus Halftime show.

Immediately following the game, the Mazda Postgame show airs live on NFL Network, CBS and Twitter from both Los Angeles and Qualcomm Stadium providing highlights, analysis and live interviews.

Twitter will stream CBS's broadcast of Broncos-Chargers, providing free, live streaming video on the Twitter platform on mobile phones, tablets, PCs and connected TVs. Fans can visit Twitter Moments or TNF.Twitter.com to view the live stream.

The entire 18-game Thursday Night Football schedule, including the live games and pre- and postgame shows, will also be streamed live on the NFL Mobile from Verizon app (NFL.com/mobile), the NFL app on XBOX, including interactive features from Microsoft, and through Watch NFL Network on tablets, PCs and various connected TV devices (NFL.com/watch), with participating television providers. Learn all of the ways to watch at NFL.com/TNF. An audio broadcast of the game is available on SiriusXM, TuneIn & Westwood One Radio Sports.

Thursday Night Football is available in Spanish via SAP (Secondary Audio Program) with Roberto Abramowitz calling the action on CBS and NFL Network. 

Thursday Night Notes: Denver Broncos @ San Diego Chargers

Week 6 begins on Thursday night with the San Diego Chargers hosting the Denver Broncos (CBS/NFL Network/Twitter; 8:25 PM ET) at Qualcomm Stadium. The Broncos are seeking their fifth consecutive win against the Chargers. In the last meeting, Denver RB C.J. ANDERSON rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown and WR DEMARYIUS THOMAS had five receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos’ 27-20 victory. Broncos LB VON MILLER ranks second in the NFL in 2016 with 6.5 sacks. For the Chargers, RB MELVIN GORDON leads the NFL with seven touchdowns (six rushing, one receiving) and has scored a touchdown in all five games this season. San Diego DE JOEY BOSA, the third overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, recorded two sacks in his NFL debut last week.    

REGULAR SEASON SERIES

	BRONCOS	CHARGERS
SERIES LEADER	62-49-1
STREAKS	Past 4
COACHES VS. OPP.	Gary Kubiak: 3-2	Mike McCoy: 1-5
LAST WEEK	L 23-16 vs. Atlanta	L 34-31 at Oakland
LAST GAME	1/3/16: Chargers 20 at Broncos 27. Denver RBs Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson combine for 212 rushing yards. Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas has 5 receptions for 117 yards & TD.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/6/15: Broncos 17, Chargers 3. Denver WR Demaryius Thomas has 6 receptions for 61 yards & TD. Broncos LB Danny Trevathan records 25-yard INT-TD.
REFEREE	Craig Wrolstad
BROADCAST	CBS/NFLN/Twitter (8:25 PM ET): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson (Field reporter). Westwood One: Kevin Kugler, James Lofton. SIRIUS: TBD

STATS

PASSING	Trevor Siemian: 68-101-824-6-3-99.6	Philip Rivers: 117-172-1469-11-3-108.4
RUSHING	C.J. Anderson: 84-293-3.5-3	Melvin Gordon: 89-299-3.4-6
RECEIVING	Emmanuel Sanders: 32-373-11.7-3	Travis Benjamin: 28-394-14.1-2
OFFENSE	327.2	373.2
TAKE/GIVE	+3	-2
DEFENSE	301.0	375.0
SACKS	Von Miller: 6.5	Melvin Ingram: 3
INTs	Aqib Talib: 3	Casey Hayward: 3
PUNTING	Riley Dixon (R): 47.3	Drew Kaser (R): 39.1
KICKING	Brandon McManus: 41 (11/12 PAT; 10/11 FG)	Josh Lambo: 44 (17/18 PAT; 9/10 FG)

NOTES

BRONCOS: QB TREVOR SIEMIAN has won 1st 4 career starts. Is 2-0 on road with 5 TDs, 0 INTs & 134.9 rating…RB C.J. ANDERSON has 8 TDs (7 rush, 1 rec.) in past 10 (incl. playoffs). Rushed for 95 yards & TD in last meeting…WR DEMARYIUS THOMAS is 1 of 2 in NFL with 6,000+ rec. yards (6,168) & 40+ rec. TDs (44) since 2012. Aims for 4th in row with TD. Has 8 rec. TDs in past 8 meetings. Has 25 catches for 406 yards (101.5 per game) & 3 TDs in past 4 vs. SD. WR EMMANUEL SANDERS has 24 catches for 285 yards (95 per game) & 3 TDs in past 3…LB VON MILLER has 11 sacks, 14 TFL, 3 FFs & FR in 10 games vs. SD. Has 11.5 sacks, 3 FFs & INT in past 7 (incl. playoffs). Since 2011 (incl. playoffs), ranks 2nd in NFL with 73 sacks. CB AQIB TALIB has 3 INTs in past 4, incl. INT-TD. Has 9 career INT-TDs, tied for 4th in NFL history. LB SHANE RAY has 4 sacks & FR-TD in past 4…CHARGERS: QB PHILIP RIVERS aims for 4th in row with 300+ pass yards. Had 359 yards & 4 TDs last week. Since 2008, has 36,228 pass yards, 2nd most in NFL…RB MELVIN GORDON leads NFL with 7 TDs (6 rush, 1 rec.). Has TD in all 5 games in 2016…WR-PR TRAVIS BENJAMIN has 15 career TDs (12 rec., 3 PR) & 9 have been 40+ yards. Had 9 catches for 117 yards in last game vs. Den. (10/18/15 with Cle.). WR TYRELL WILLIAMS had 1st career 100-yard game (117) last week (5 catches, 1 TD). Had career-long 80-yard TD in last meeting. TE ANTONIO GATES ranks 2nd in NFL history among TEs with 106 rec. TDs. Has 4 TDs in past 4 meetings…LB MELVIN INGRAM aims for 4th in row vs. Den. with sack. Has 9.5 sacks & 2 FFs in past 10. Rookie DEJOEY BOSA had 2 sacks in NFL debut last week. CB CASEY HAYWARD has 3 INTs in past 4.