During his first overview of the Chargers’ season schedule, offensive coordinator Greg Roman stopped short of cursing the team’s Week 5, but at least came out “strongly against it.”

“As it turns out,” Roman said this week, “it’s a gift from the football gods.”

The Chargers (2-2) lost consecutive games to start the off week, but won the break by getting key players back from injuries.

Before Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (pectoral muscle) and Joe Alt (knee) returned to practice for the first time since being injured in Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Quarterback Justin Herbert, dealing with a sprained right ankle, took part in team practices for the first time and said he felt as healthy as he has since his injury in Week 2.

The starters’ return could be a much-needed remedy for the Chargers’ anemic offense, which hasn’t scored a second-half touchdown since Week 1. After averaging 197.5 yards rushing in the first two games, the Chargers have only amassed 116 yards total in the last two.

The Broncos (3-2) are not an easy launch pad. As winners of three straight games, they are giving up just 4.4 yards per game, the second fewest in the NFL.

The Chargers have lost three straight to their AFC West rival and haven’t won since 2018 in Denver.