On Wednesday, Mike Vrabel said that the Patriots were dealing with a sickness that kept a handful of players at home. The team was without starting right tackle Morgan Moses, starting center Garrett Bradbury, backup tackle Vederian Lowe, and edge rusher Anfernee Jennings.

The Chargers could team Salyer with left guard Zion Johnson, center Bradley Bozeman, right guard Mekhi Becton and right tackle Trey Pipkins III for Sunday’s playoff opener against the Patriots.

Here are three critical matchups in the Sunday night showdown between the Chargers and Patriots that could decide the game.

The Patriots signed veteran offensive lineman Brenden Jaimes to the 53-man roster off the practice squad. He replaces defensive tackle Joshua Farmer, who’s been placed on the injured reserve. The third-round pick suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday.

The Patriots announced a pair of practice squad moves on Thursday, ahead of their playoff game against the Chargers.

Mike Vrabel was not only proud of his team’s dominant 42-10 win over the Jets on Sunday, but also the Patriots’ energy level in yet another road environment. “I think they came out ready to go,” Vrabel told WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” in his weekly Monday morning interview.

The Chargers head on the road for a Sunday night playoff game against the Patriots this week. Here are a few reasons to be pessimistic about LA getting Justin Herbert's first playoff win.

The New England Patriots’ regular season concluded as well as anyone could’ve predicted. In Mike Vrabel‘s first season as head coach, the Patriots finished 14-3, a 10-game improvement from last season.

The Patriots have prided themselves on being a tough, physical team this season. Sunday’s Wild Card game will put that to the ultimate test.

From drafting Drake Maye to bringing back Josh McDaniels, here are the top 10 reasons behind the Patriots dramatic turnaround

Chargers prep begins: Hunter Henry and Khyiris Tonga weren’t spotted during the media portion. LG Jared Wilson is back in a red non-contact injury. Harold Landry and Robert Spillane are practicing. Moses, Lowe, Bradbury, and Jennings are absent due to illness, per Vrabel. pic.twitter.com/CmEdJWgTu1