Chargers-Broncos Week 16 game flexed to ‘Thursday Night Football,’ a first for NFL

With both teams fighting for playoff position, the Chargers’ Week 16 game against their AFC West rival Denver Broncos was moved into a prime-time TV slot, the NFL announced Friday, shifting a game to “Thursday Night Football” for the first time.

The Chargers (7-3) will host the Broncos (6-5) at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 19 at 5:15 p.m. PST, pushing a game between the Cleveland Browns (3-8) and Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) to 10 a.m. PST on Dec. 22. It’s the first time the NFL has moved a game to Thursday since it was allowed last year.

The schedule change gives the Chargers their only Thursday night game of the season, providing the team a 10-day prep week entering a Week 17 road game at New England. The long week could be a welcome rest for the Chargers, who had their bye in Week 4.

The Chargers — who will have a short week after hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 15 — won in Denver on Oct. 13, their first road win against the Broncos since 2018. Both AFC West teams are in playoff position entering Week 12, with the Chargers in the fifth-seed and the Broncos in seventh.

The schedule change gave the Chargers their fourth prime-time game in six weeks, a run of TV exposure that includes this week’s “Monday Night Football” game against the Baltimore Ravens. They also play the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs at 5:20 p.m. PST on Dec. 8 in Week 14.

Etc.

Cornerback Cam Hart (concussion) and receiver Ladd McConkey (shoulder) returned to the field Friday and were limited in practice. Linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin), safety AJ Finley (ankle) and running back J.K. Dobbins (rest) did not practice Friday. Outside linebacker Khalil Mack (groin) was limited in practice for the second straight day. He missed last week’s win against Cincinnati.

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