Novak (back) has recovered from injuries that resulted in his ending the 2017 season on Injured Reserve and he intends to play in 2018, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Novak was placed on IR in Week 14 after sitting out a few weeks prior to that. He's not currently under contract for 2018 and will likely be looking at a near minimum deal if he does sign with a team.

General manager Tom Telesco didn't rule out retaining Novak (back) for another season, ESPN's Eric D. Williams reports.

EDGE Analysis

Novak, one of four kickers the Chargers trotted out during 2017, was placed on injured reserve in Week 13 after suffering from a reoccurring back injury. While the team did sign Roberto Aguayo to a future/reserve contract Wednesday, it appears as if Novak could still be a part of a competition down the road. The 36-year-old made nine of his 13 field-goal attempts in seven games this season.

The Chargers placed Novak (back) on injured reserve Saturday, Jack Wang of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Novak had an up-and-down week of practice and was listed as questionable for Week 13, but apparently longer-term issues were present which resulted on being placed on IR. Travis Coons was signed to the practice squad earlier this week and promoted to the Chargers' 53-man roster Saturday to serve as the team's kicker, at least for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Novak (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

Novak seemed to be in the clear for Week 13 after practicing fully Thursday, but his limited practice Friday suggests his back issues may not have completely gone away. As a safeguard against a potential Novak absence, the Chargers signed Travis Coons to the practice squad earlier this week. If Coons is promoted to the 53-man roster by the 4 p.m. EDT deadline Saturday, it would represent a strong indication that Novak won't be available Sunday.

Novak (back) practiced fully Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

With Novak upgrading from a limited session Wednesday, it appears he's in little danger of missing Sunday's game against the Browns, despite the Chargers' decision to import another kicker into the organization by signing Travis Coons to the practices squad. Unless Coons is a late addition to the 53-man roster prior to Saturday's deadline for teams to make Week 13 transactions, look for Novak to handle both kickoffs and placekicking responsibilities for Los Angeles.

Novak (back) was limited at practice Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Per Ricky Henne of the Chargers' official site, the plan is for Novak to kick him more on Thursday and then see where he's at on Friday. To be safe, the Chargers have signed fellow kicker Travis Coons to their practice squad

Novak (back) is expected to kick for the Chargers in Sunday's game against the Browns barring a setback in practice this week, a source informed Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

EDGE Analysis

In preparation of a potential Novak absence, the Chargers worked out kickers Tuesday, ultimately signing Travis Coons to the practice squad Wednesday. That leaves Coons in line to assume kicking duties in Week 13 should Novak miss the contest, but initial expectations are that the incumbent kicker will be able to shake off the back injury in advance of Sunday's contest. Novak was deemed day-to-day after sustaining the injury in the Thanksgiving Day win over the Cowboys, during which he missed one of two field-goal tries and his lone extra-point attempt before being replaced by punter Drew Kaser.

Novak (back) is considered day-to-day heading into Sunday's matchup with the Browns, Jack Wang of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Novak's back acted up in the first quarter of the Chargers' Thanksgiving Day win over the Cowboys, shortly after he pushed a 35-yard field-goal attempt wide right. After receiving a cortisone shot in the locker room to address the pain, Novak reentered the contest and made a 22-yard field goal, but was shut down after pulling an extra point to the left. Punter Drew Kaser handled placekicking duties the rest of the day and made only one of three extra-point attempts, so the Chargers will have to bring in an external option if Novak is unable to kick by the time the Week 13 matchup arrives. Wang notes that it's likely that the Chargers will try out some kickers Tuesday, though the team probably won't sign a kicker until Novak is formally ruled out for the game.

Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said Novak, who is nursing a back issue, would remain the team's kicker in the Week 13 matchup with the Browns if healthy enough to play, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Novak underwent examinations on his back in the locker room after missing a 35-yard field-goal attempt early in Thursday's win over the Cowboys, but was ultimately cleared to return to the contest, drilling a chip-shot field goal from 22 yards before missing an extra-point try later on. With five missed kicks in the Chargers' last six games, Novak hasn't been as reliable as the team hoped, but it appears he'll have a little bit more leash before the team considers going in a different direction.

Novak (back) returned to Thursday's contest in Dallas, Jack Wang of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

At the end of the Chargers' first drive of the game, Novak missed a 35-yard field goal wide right and went to the locker room for some time to have his back examined. While testing was performed, head coach Anthony Lynn opted to go for it on fourth and 13 in the red zone on the next drive rather than send out punter (and emergency kicker) Drew Kaser for the attempt. Finally, Novak returned to the sideline, kicked into the net and culminated a late second-quarter possession with a success from 22 yards.