The Chargers will head into Sunday’s matchup with Denver short-handed, and the latest injury news hits two of their biggest names.
Los Angeles has officially ruled out offensive tackle Joe Alt, safety Derwin James and wide receiver Quentin Johnston, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN.
“Chargers ruled out WR Quentin Johnston, OT Joe Alt, and S Derwin James, amongst others,” Schefter wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
There is still some uncertainty around Ladd McConkey, who is dealing with a foot injury. The wide receiver is listed as questionable for the AFC West game, but he did not practice all week.
Alt and James were also held out of practice throughout the week, though their injuries differ from McConkey’s. Alt is dealing with a neck issue, while James is working through a hamstring injury.
Alt’s status was trending in this direction earlier in the week. On Wednesday, Ian Rapoport reported that the Chargers Pro Bowl tackle was “expected to miss” the game against the Broncos, and added that “there are no plans” for a stint on injured reserve.
“Chargers Pro Bowl OT Joe Alt is expected to miss this Sunday’s game against the Broncos with a neck injury, sources say. Alt continues to rehab the injury suffered last week at Seattle, and there are no plans for IR,” Rapoport wrote on X.
The Chargers are still hoping for a quick turnaround, with the possibility that Alt and James could be back by Oct. 18 against the Kansas City Chiefs. For now, though, Los Angeles will try to chase its first win of the season without them.
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That team came together under a first-year head coach and got a major jolt when the quarterback situation shifted before the regular season even began. The early stumble gave way to a steady run of wins, a playoff berth and even a postseason victory, which is exactly the kind of route this current Chargers team would love to study while trying to stop the early-season damage from becoming permanent. [Read more 🡒]
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Jim Harbaugh was brought in to steady things, but the early-season spiral has only intensified the scrutiny around how the staff is navigating it. The latest wave of roster attrition has only added to the pressure, and with Los Angeles still searching for its first win, the conversation is starting to move beyond this weeks matchup and toward what all of it could mean for the coaching staff if the slide continues. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Suddenly Face A Khalil Mack Decision Before The Deadline
Khalil Macks early-season production has put an unexpected wrinkle into the Chargers build-up to the trade deadline. The veteran edge rusher, now 35, has three sacks in four games and remains one of the more recognizable names on a team trying to sort out its place in the AFC picture, which is why his situation has started to draw attention beyond Los Angeles.
Several league sources and analysts have suggested that a move involving Mack could make sense for both sides, especially given his past mixed feelings about leaving Chicago. The Chargers, though, have not shown any indication they want to move him, and with the deadline set for Nov. 10, the question is whether this becomes a real decision point or just another piece of outside chatter around a player who still matters to what Los Angeles is trying to do. [Read more 🡒]