Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz offered a reassuring update on Keaton Mitchell on Monday, saying he does not expect the running back to open the season on injured reserve and believes Mitchell should be ready for Week 1.
“That’s what he’s working for. Yeah," Hortiz said.
He added, "He’s working through something, but nothing [major] Let's put it this way: we could put him down on IR today like we did with Denzel and we did not do that. So if that kind of answers your question.”
Mitchell was absent from practice Monday and has now missed four straight sessions because of an undisclosed injury. He was spotted working on the side with trainers during the workout.
The 24-year-old is entering his first season with Los Angeles after signing with the Chargers this offseason. Before that, he spent his first three NFL seasons with the Ravens.
For now, Mitchell is projected to back up Omarion Hampton at running back. Hampton, 23, is expected to make a major leap after an injury-hit 2025 rookie season.
Mitchell’s own injury history is part of the conversation, too. He tore his ACL during his rookie year in 2023, and over three NFL seasons he has played in only 26 games, appearing in just 50% of his team’s games.
The Chargers are hoping Mitchell can put that behind him, but with less than two weeks left before the opener, his status is still worth watching. Even so, Hortiz sounded confident the situation is manageable.
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It also meant a few familiar faces moved out of the picture, with cornerback Isas Waxter, wide receiver Devonte Ross and defensive lineman Jahmeer Carter all released from the practice squad. For a Chargers team trying to keep as much quality depth around its quarterback as possible, the family connection attached to Herberts latest addition is the kind of detail that will keep getting attention as the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Add Another Mike McDaniel Connection Fans Should Keep An Eye On
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Chargers Suddenly Have A Week 1 Problem At Linebacker
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Los Angeles does have options on the depth chart, with Troy Dye, DelShawn Phillips and Marlowe Wax all in the mix for snaps, but the team has not publicly settled on who will take over the job. For a defense that wants stability right away, the bigger issue may be how quickly someone can step in and look the part while Perryman works his way back. [Read more 🡒]