The Chargers’ injury picture got a little darker coming out of the bye week, and Derwin James Jr. is now at the center of it.
According to Ian Rapoport, Jim Harbaugh said the veteran safety has had a setback while recovering from his hamstring injury, and James could wind up on injured reserve. Rapoport also noted that James has not played since September 27th, which was Week 3.
That’s another rough turn for a Chargers team already stuck in a miserable spot. Los Angeles is 0-6, the only winless team in the NFL, and the return from the bye doesn’t bring much relief. Instead, the Chargers head into Week 8 dealing with injuries all over the roster as they prepare for the battle of Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Rams.
James’ absence has at least opened the door for rookie safety Genesis Smith to see the field more often. That extra playing time has given Smith a chance to pick up valuable game reps that could matter the rest of this season and beyond.
There’s also a bigger roster angle here. James is a veteran who has played well when healthy, and teams trying to load up for a push may have been willing to offer the Chargers solid draft capital for him. But with his injury situation and the possibility that he could be out beyond the NFL trade deadline, that market may not look the same now.
Harbaugh’s update didn’t lock James into an IR stint, though. He said James may go on injured reserve, which means this isn’t a done deal yet. Still, it’s a real possibility, and one that could shape how the Chargers handle both his recovery and the rest of the roster.
What happens next with James will be worth watching closely. His timetable, the potential IR move, and whether Los Angeles decides to become sellers at the deadline will all say a lot about whether this team is trying to rescue the season or looking ahead to 2027.
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