2. Chargers injury updates
Harbaugh didn’t have much in the way of injury updates when asked on Monday.
“I don’t have an update on anybody today,” Harbaugh said. “Let the treatment occur and Wednesday we’ll be able to update on who’s participating in practice and in what capacity.”
The Chargers will practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before flying to the East Coast on Friday afternoon.
The Bolts do have a few key players to keep an eye on, including Omarion Hampton. The rookie running back is dealing with an ankle injury and did not play in Sunday’s regular-season finale in Denver.
“I feel like he’s do anything and everything he can to get back as fast as he can,” Harbaugh said.
Harbaugh was also asked about left tackle Jamaree Salyer, who sustained a hamstring injury in the first quarter of a Week 16 win in Dallas.
Salyer missed the Bolts final two regular-season games but did go through a pregame workout Sunday in Denver.
“Continue to let the treatment occur and the rehab,” Harbaugh said of Salyer. “By Wednesday we’ll know what participation will be like.”
The status of cornerback Donte Jackson, who suffered an ankle injury against the Broncos, will also be worth watching.
3. Respect for the Patriots
It was a little over a year ago that the Chargers went to New England and scored a 40-7 win that secured a playoff berth.
These are not the same Patriots, as New England has an entirely new coaching staff led by Mike Vrabel, plus plenty of roster improvements that led to a 14-win season.
“The record. Most dramatically,” Harbaugh said when asked about New England’s 10-win turnaround.
Harbaugh was asked Monday about what the hallmark of a Vrabel-coached team is.
Vrabel played linebacker for 14 NFL seasons and was a First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler with New England in 2007. He won three Super Bowls as a player with the Patriots and is a member of the team’s Hall of Fame.
“The thing that sticks out, his teams play like he played. I do notice that,” Harbaugh said. “Tough, gritty, physical, smart, fast. They kind of like to hit like he liked to hit. That’s what I’ve noticed.”
The Patriots defense certainly fits that bill as New England’s unit is a disruptive and disciplined group that makes life difficult for the opposition.
New England finished fourth in the NFL in scoring defense (18.8 points per game) and also finished in the Top 10 in key stats such as yards per game (295.2) rushing yards per game (101.7) and first downs allowed per game (17.8).
On a more advanced level, the Patriots ranked ninth in defensive EPA per game.
“The most important categories they’re top five, top 10 — Points per game, run defense,” Harbaugh said. “It’s not a lot of takeaways, that’s not in the top 10, but it’s really good, sound. Able to play a 3-4 team that can play as an 4-3 team, a 4-3 team that can go to a five-man line.
“Hallmarks in their coverages, which they play really well. They play the single-high, split-safety, all really good, effective. Very downhill, very physical, very good tacklers. Really sound,” Harbaugh added. “Player driven, they put players in position to be successful. They do a great job with that. Long list of things that they do well.”
The Patriots defense tied for 18th in 2025 with 19 total takeaways.