The Chargers received more bad injury news on Monday afternoon. Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh announced that both TE David Njoku (fibula) and TE Charlie Kolar (forearm) would head to IR. That leaves Oronde Gadsden II the only rostered tight end. One would assume a practice squad or free agent signing is coming.
DT Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring) and LG Kayode Awosika (fibula) will also miss "some time". LG Trey Pipkins III was inactive last week due to a knee injury. Harbaugh said that Trevor Penning would step into the left guard spot if both of the Chargers' top options can't go on Sunday. Penning played one drive at right guard vs. Las Vegas while Cole Strange was being medically evaluated.
The Chargers are fighting an increasingly uphill battle on the injury report as they head into Buffalo.
Simply put, the injuries are reaching a breaking point for the Chargers. They're going to face one of the best offenses in the league while their own offense is crumbling. No LG1, LG2, TE1, or TE2 this Sunday. Not to mention, WR Ladd McConkey will probably have a limited workload again this week as he continues to play through a cracked rib.
On the Buffalo side of the injury report, they'll have to wait to see if WR DJ Moore (AC joint sprain) and DT Ed Oliver (hip) can go on Sunday. But they also get the added benefit of having played on Thursday Night Football last week. They'll have a three day rest advantage over the Chargers coming into Sunday.
It will also be the Chargers' first west coast to east coast road trip of the year with a 10 AM PT start time. They went 4-2 in that time window last season, but just 2-2 in games on the east coast with a point differential of -23.
If the Chargers are going to win this game, they have to outcoach and outexecute the Bills. The leadership from Jim Harbaugh has been lacking in having his players ready to play. The offensive and defensive schemes from Mike McDaniel and Chris O'Leary have left quite a bit to be desired. Beating a team that's better than you can only happen in the NFL when your side is locked in-as opposed to well, fifteen penalties and seven fumbles in their first two games.
Chargers' 2026 offense through 2 games:
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) September 22, 2026
30th in EPA/play (-0.241)
28th in success rate (36.9%)
27th in Dropback EPA/play (-0.079)
32nd in Rush EPA/play (-0.482)
Herbert is 29th in QB EPA/play (-0.092)
LA was 24th in EPA/play and 20th in success rate under Greg Roman in 2025. pic.twitter.com/yoaeLMe4zw
0-3 is nearly a death sentence in the NFL. In the 21st century, only the Texans in 2018 and 2025 have made the playoffs after going winless in their first three games. Considering the stretch the Chargers have coming up in terms of schedule difficulty, Sunday is a must-win to keep any level of hope for January and February football alive.
The Chargers will be outmanned by a Bills team that has been playing far better football. It's on the coaching staff and players to make sure their level of execution isn't nearly as dreadful as it was against Arizona or Las Vegas. It would be nice if the coaching staff put together a on-field product that looks even close to resembling what they promised.
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