Things have already been going poorly for the San Diego Chargers (4-5). They have lost four games in a row and now they travel to take on the Chicago Bears (6-3) who have won four straight. To make things more difficult, the Bolts’ offensive line is broken, perhaps beyond repair. In all likelihood San Diego will enter Sunday’s game without four offensive lineman, all starters and two Pro Bowl Players.

The demise of the offensive line began in the game against the New York Jets in Week 7 when left guard Kris Dielman, who had been selected to the last four Pro Bowls, suffered and played with a concussion. On the flight home Dielman scared his teammates when he suffered a seizure as the plane descended into San Diego.

Dielman underwent an extensive neurological exam and showed no signs of any long-term repercussions from the concussion. He was originally slated to miss just two weeks, but effects of the concussion have lingered and Dielman was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list on Wednesday.

San Diego will also likely be without Pro Bowl left tackle Marcus McNeill for the foreseeable future. McNeill suffered his second neck stinger of the year last Thursday against the Oakland Raiders. McNeill is arguably the most important member of the offensive line because he protects quarterback Philip Rivers’ blind side.Utility offensive lineman Brandyn Dombrowski took over for McNeill when he went down and had the worst game of his career quickly giving up three sacks to LB Kamerion Wimbley. “Brandyn has always done a great job when he has gone in,” coach Norv Turner said. “When Brandyn has played left tackle, he has always played next to Dielman. I think that really has helped him.”

Dombrowski is preparing to play left tackle this Sunday without Dielman by and at some point he will likely have to contain roving defensive end Julius Peppers who has already racked up six sacks this season.McNeill was not the only offensive lineman to fall to Oakland. Starting left guard Louis Vasquez sprained his left ankle and has missed practice while wearing a protective boot this week.

To make matters worse utility lineman Tyronne Green, who had filled in for Dielman for the last three games at left guard played Thursday’s game with an injured hand that worsened and Green has missed practices this week. “I am concerned about Tyronne,” coach Norv Turner said. “Hopefully, he will make the progress to give him a chance to play. If he can’t, we have made the moves to have the guys who can play.”

The Chargers signed linemen Tony Moll and Ikechuku Ndukwe (pronounced E-K-choo-koo IN-duke-way) who will hopefully provide Rivers some protection. Both are experienced veterans, but have been primarily backups throughout their carriers and neither has played a down this season.

That will likely change this Sunday. The projected starting offensive line against Chicago is Dombrowski at left tackle, Scott Mruczkowski at left guard, Nick Hardwick at center, Moll at right guard and Jeromey Clary at right tackle. Stephen Schilling (round six, 201st overall pick), who began the year on the practice squad, will start instead of Moll.Hardwick and Clary will be the only starters who will be playing the position where they began the season. Mruczkowski will be playing out of his natural position because he is the backup center for Hardwick.

The Bears defense would likely pose difficulties for the Chargers even if the offensive line was healthy. Chicago is fourth in the league in interceptions (13) while Rivers leads the league in throwing interceptions (15) and in total turnovers (19.) Rivers has turned the ball over at least twice in each of the Chargers five losses this season.This means Turner will have to find some creative ways to provide protection for Rivers. While at the same time his playbook may be limited with a makeshift offensive line. “We have to be careful on how much we ask our guys to do,” Turner said. “But you have to give them enough to make plays.”

Fortunately, running backs Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert are healthy. This means the Chargers may run the ball a lot more on Sunday than last week when they only attempted 14 rushing plays. “It all ties together” Turner said. “We want to run the ball. If we want to run the ball then we have to convert third-downs. You have to execute in all areas if you want to stay in that mindset.”

That is a lot easier said than done. Mathews and Tolbert may not be used to the tendencies of their newly revamped offensive line. “That is why you have to practice for it,” Mathews said. “These guys have been in there this week. Michael and I will have a pretty good feel for them. They will pick up where the other guys left off and they are going to do good.”

Hopefully, Mathews is correct. The Chargers cannot afford to lose a fifth game in a row. If they do, then it may very well be the Chargers season that is beyond repair.