Eli Apple Elevated to Chargers’ 53-Man Roster for Week 11 Against Bengals

The Los Angeles Chargers have made several roster adjustments ahead of their Week 11 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football. One notable move involves the elevation of cornerback Eli Apple from the practice squad to the 53-man roster for the game.

Apple’s promotion comes as the Chargers deal with several key players being inactive. Notably, outside linebacker Khalil Mack will miss the game due to a groin injury, and wide receiver D.J. Chark and tight end Hayden Hurst have been listed as healthy scratches. This decision suggests that the team is exploring different lineup options and may be reevaluating the roles of Chark and Hurst for the remainder of the season.

In addition to Apple, the Chargers have also elevated outside linebacker Caleb Murphy from the practice squad. These moves are part of the team’s strategy to address the absence of key players and prepare for a challenging matchup against the Bengals, who boast one of the league’s most effective offenses.

The absence of Mack and the less-than-full health of defensive end Joey Bosa mean that other players, such as Tuli Tuipolotu and Bud Dupree, will need to step up to generate a pass rush against the Bengals’ potent offense led by Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase.