The Chargers’ miserable 0-6 start just took another hit, and this one lands right in the middle of the defense. Jim Harbaugh now has a new headache at safety after Derwin James ran into a setback in his recovery, with the possibility that he could land on injured reserve because his hamstring still isn’t fully healed.
James has only been able to get on the field for three games so far, and in that stretch he’s put up 12 solo tackles. Across those three appearances, he’s totaled 21 tackles and broken up one pass, but the bigger story is how limited he’s been for a team already buried by injuries.
That injury list keeps growing. Ladd McConkey did not practice Monday as he continues working back from a concussion, while Brennen Thompson is also dealing with an issue, with his quadriceps listed as the problem. On the other side of that, Tre Harris appears set to return from a hamstring injury, and that could give Justin Herbert some help at exactly the right time.
Herbert has been forced to carry far too much of the load already. He’s thrown eight interceptions against five touchdown passes, a rough ratio for a quarterback trying to steady a season that’s slipping fast.
And with the trade deadline creeping closer, the Chargers may not be done shuffling things around. Herbert has emerged as a possible trending trade contender, and Seattle has been linked as a potential landing spot.
Next up, Los Angeles goes back to SoFi Stadium, but not as the home team. The Chargers will be in the visitors locker room Sunday when they face the Rams.
In Other News...
Jets Dream Trade Raises An Awkward Question About Their Future
With the Jets searching for a spark and the trade deadline approaching, one idea floated by Mike Ginnitti was at least flashy enough to get attention: a possible deal for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. It is the kind of speculative swing that says as much about New Yorks current frustration as it does about Herberts standing around the league, since the Los Angeles quarterback remains one of the few names capable of changing a franchises direction overnight.
The problem, of course, is that this is far more fantasy than fit. Herberts status gives him significant control over where he plays, and any path out of Los Angeles would have to start with him choosing to leave. For now, the Chargers can keep building around a quarterback whose performance still makes him one of the leagues most intriguing assets, even as the conversation around his future continues to invite the kind of outside interest that would not stop with the Jets. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Land In Trade Buzz For A Reason Fans Will Debate
The deadline chatter around the Chargers has not exactly turned into an aggressive selling campaign, but it has at least put a few familiar names into the conversation. ESPNs Jeremy Fowler framed Los Angeles as a team that still appears more inclined to hold than deal, even while pointing to players such as Khalil Mack, Quentin Johnston and Donte Jackson as the sorts of pieces that would draw attention if the front office ever changed course.
For now, that leaves the Chargers in the familiar spot of being discussed as much for what they might do as for what they actually plan to do. Around the league, teams such as Kansas City and the Jets are also being watched for possible deadline movement, and those ripple effects can matter in a hurry if a market starts to form for veterans or young players with upside. Whether Los Angeles ever steps into that market is still the bigger question, and it is the kind of one fans will keep debating until the deadline passes. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Backfield Suddenly Feels More Complicated Around Kimani Vidal
A quiet part of the Chargers' backfield picture got noisier this week when Greg Desrosiers Jr. left the organization and landed with the Giants. Desrosiers had been sitting on Los Angeles' practice squad after a strong preseason showing, the kind of production that can make a depth-running-back stash feel like a small luxury until another club comes calling and opens a spot.
Kimani Vidal is the name adding even more intrigue now, because there have also been reports that teams are checking on his availability. Nothing has been finalized, and the Chargers still have decisions to make about how they want to sort out the depth behind their lead options, but the combination of a departed practice-squad back and outside interest in Vidal makes the room feel more unsettled than it did a few days ago. [Read more 🡒]