Chargers’ Brandon Mebane to play after newborn daughter’s death

Chargers defensive tackle Brandon Mebane plans to play against the Patriots on Sunday, even if he’ll be doing so with a heavy heart.

The team announced that Mebane’s 7-week-old daughter Makenna died late last week. Makenna was born premature with trisomy 13, a defective heart condition.

“She passed away January 3, Thursday,” he said. “She kept having bleeds from the stomach, and then when they tried to feed her, it wasn’t good for her liver.”

Mebane, a defensive co-captain, missed four games during the season while tending to his family, including last week’s wild-card win over the Ravens.

“No matter where I am, I still think about her,” Mebane said of Makenna. “I’m just happy I’m still able to play this game, so [I’m doing] pretty good.”

The rest of the Mebane family will remain in Los Angeles as they continue to heal.

“We’re doing pretty good,” he said of his family. “Just trying to take one day at a time. Still thankful [for having her in our life]. Thank God every day. Still pray. We’re just taking it just one day at a time.”