Week 9 brings another chance for the Chargers to reset, but the bigger picture still hangs over everything. They remain the only team without a win, and with the trade deadline closing in, the conversation around the roster has only gotten louder. Even with reports that the Chargers do not plan to move anyone, the uncertainty makes this a team worth watching closely.
Khalil Mack sits at the center of that noise. He leads the list because this could be his last game in a Chargers uniform, which makes him the most intriguing name on the field this week. The team’s winless start and the looming deadline have put his future under a brighter spotlight than ever.
Justin Herbert is another player to keep an eye on after what he did against the Rams. His stat line included two interceptions, and Quentin Lake’s comments have added some extra static around his performance, but that outing was still his best of the season.
Herbert completed 24 of 32 passes for 257 yards, a season-high, and now gets a Texans defense that is allowing 244 passing yards. Houston’s secondary has not lived up to expectations, and Herbert has a chance to build on that showing.
Joe Alt also deserves attention, especially with the way he handled his return from injury against the Rams. He didn’t give up a single quarterback pressure and posted an 89.9 pass-block grade, the best mark among tackles in Week 8.
This week is a much stiffer test, though, with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter coming after him. With no Rashawn Slater on the other side, Alt is set to absorb everything Houston throws at him.
Omarion Hampton could be in line for a more defined role as well. Jim Harbaugh said the team is considering letting one running back settle into a rhythm instead of continuing to rotate Hampton, Kimani Vidal, and Keaton Mitchell. Hampton’s touches have been limited all season, but Week 9 could finally offer a clearer path for him.
Then there’s Isas Waxter, who made the most of his opportunity against the Rams. The young cornerback finished with six tackles and two tackles for loss, and he allowed only three catches for negative four yards in coverage.
With Derwin James on injured reserve and injuries thinning out the secondary, Waxter may keep getting chances to show he belongs. This week gives him another shot to turn a rough season into something more personal.
In Other News...
Justin Herbert Injury Scare Puts More Pressure On Chargers Offense
Justin Herberts latest scare came in the middle of a season already asking plenty of the Chargers offense. The quarterback hurt his left middle finger against the Texans, adding a new layer of concern to a unit that has not found much comfort this year, with Herbert taking his share of sacks and throwing multiple interceptions.
Jim Harbaugh provided the immediate relief after the game, saying Herbert is expected to be ready for the next matchup, but the bigger question around Los Angeles is unchanged. Herbert remains slated to lead the offense again, and the Chargers will need cleaner play around him if they want to avoid turning one injury scare into a much larger problem. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Just Made A Daiyan Henley Decision Fans Will Question
The Chargers have moved on from Daiyan Henley, sending the 26-year-old linebacker to Denver after four seasons in Los Angeles. Henley had become a familiar part of the defense, and his value showed up most in pass coverage, where he gave the Chargers a linebacker who could stay on the field in a variety of situations.
For a team that has spent plenty of time trying to tighten up its own defense, the decision is going to draw questions from fans who saw Henley as one of the more dependable pieces in the middle. Denver clearly believes he can help its own coverage issues, but for the Chargers, the timing and the return leave plenty of room for second-guessing. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Just Sent A Clear Message About This Lost Season
The Chargers made another unmistakable move toward the future, dealing linebacker Daiyan Henley to Denver as the organization continues to reshape its thinking around a difficult season. For a team that has spent much of the year searching for traction, the trade fits a broader approach of looking beyond the present and collecting assets that can help down the line.
Henleys departure adds to the sense that more roster changes could still be coming as the Chargers weigh their options. With speculation already swirling around other notable names, the front office appears willing to keep listening if the return matches its long-term plan, even if it means parting with more recognizable pieces before the season is over. [Read more 🡒]