Rivers’ consecutive starts streak in jeopardy

COSTA MESA, Calif. — Will he or won’t he and how did the Los Angeles Chargers get into this pickle?

Quarterback Philip Rivers’ status isn’t certain as Los Angeles plays the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Rivers, who has started in 185 straight games, suffered a concussion last week in a loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Rivers, 36, was able to do some light work in Wednesday’s practice.

If Rivers isn’t cleared to play, backup Kellen Clemens will be the starter.

Clemens has thrown 10 passes for the Chargers in a stint that dates to 2014. Clemens, who has 21 NFL starts, led the St. Louis Rams to wins in four of their last seven games in 2013 as a starter.

“In the backup position you prepare the same way every week,” Clemens said. “You enjoy playing, but I understand my role. I’m here to help Philip and help this team in any capacity.”

The Chargers might, or might not, need Clemens’ services between the lines. What’s clear is that the Chargers need a win as they seek the momentum they had in October, when winning three straight.

Since then there’s been a bye sandwiched between losses and just what has happened?

The defense continues to produce winning efforts. But offensively — and on special teams — the Chargers continue to make mistakes that have them anchored again in the AFC West cellar.

The offense, which was supposed to be a team strength, is scoring but 18.6 points per game, 23rd in the league.

“I don’t feel the rhythm in our offense,” head coach Anthony Lynn said. “It’s like a scratch golfer who sometimes goes into a slump.

“We’re not scoring the points we need to score on offense. If you told me our defense was going to hold people to 17, 20 points per game, I would have said we’d win a lot of football games.”

Instead, the Chargers have won but three. They hope to get No. 4 on Sunday, even if they’re not certain who will be under center.

SERIES HISTORY: 35th regular-series meeting. Chargers lead series, 22-10-2 and have won three of the last five games. The Chargers won the last meeting, in Buffalo, 22-10 in 2014. In the Bills’ previous visit to Southern California, they were thumped 37-10 in San Diego. When both teams were in the AFL, the Bills defeated the Chargers in consecutive years in the title games of 1964 and 1965.

–The Chargers will face the Bills with an offensive line that is being patched together. Right tackle Joe Barksdale will miss another game with his turf toe. He’ll be replaced by Michael Schofield. Dan Feeney, a rookie, starts at right guard with Matt Slauson being lost for the year before the bye. Spencer Pulley, who is nursing a sore knee, is holding up as a first-year starter at center. But it’s not nearly the unit the Chargers thought they would have before the year.

–Head coach Anthony Lynn said offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt won’t have his role diminished in wake of the Chargers’ offensive troubles.

“I have complete confidence in our offensive staff and I’m sure we’ll get this figured out,” Lynn said.

Whisenhunt said he doesn’t see the playbook being compromised much if Kellen Clemens starts Sunday. “Maybe you cut it down a little,” he said. “But from all the guys I’ve been around, especially in that role, Kellen is one of the sharpest as far as understanding what you need done and communicating that to the players. Executing it in a game is something he hasn’t done a lot of in the last couple of years, but he’s a pro, and I’m sure he’ll be prepared.”

NOTES: ILB Hayes Pullard (neck) didn’t work in Wednesday’s practice. … TE Antonio Gates (rest) didn’t practice. … OLB Chris McCain (quad) didn’t practice. … OLB James Onwualu (quad) didn’t work. … RT Joe Barksdale (foot) didn’t practice and won’t start again this week. … C Spencer Pulley (knee), DT Corey Liuget (toe), S Adrian Phillips (hamstring) and QB Philip Rivers (concussion) were limited. … ILB Denzel Perryman (ankle) was a full participant.