The Chargers are getting a few key players back this week like OT Joe Alt, WR Ladd McConkey, and WR Tre' Harris. But just when it seems like it's one step forward for the Chargers on the injury front, they might've just taken a few steps back. On Saturday, Los Angeles officially placed All-Pro S Derwin James Jr. (hamstring) on IR.
The decision to place him on injured reserve did not come out of nowhere. HC Jim Harbaugh announced on Wednesday that James had a "setback" in rehab for his hamstring. He had not played since Week 3 vs. Buffalo. The IR placement knocks James out for the next four games: @ Rams, vs. Texans, @ Ravens, and vs. Jets. The All-Pro DB is first eligible to return against the Patriots in Week 12.
Derwin James is just another name on a rather extensive IR list for the Chargers.
The Chargers have five IR activations remaining from their total of eight entering the 2026 regular season. Normally, that's not a bad number at this point of the year. But the Chargers have nine players currently on IR. Excluding C Tyler Biadasz with a season-ending ACL injury, that leaves eight players. James, FB Alec Ingold, QB Trey Lance, TE David Njoku, OG Trevor Penning, LB Denzel Perryman, OG Trey Pipkins III, and LT Rashawn Slater are eligible to return.
With five activations left, that means at least three of those eight names would not be able to return in the remainder of the regular season. Even given the previous bad luck with injuries for the franchise, this amount of attrition is something different.
Of course, the Chargers will have to see how their season plays out. If they're unable to get a win anytime soon, would they even bother bringing names like James or Slater back? The trade deadline and tenuous nature of OC Mike McDaniel's employment also loom over the possible decision-making there.
The Chargers' defense has played well enough without James. The team is 6th in defensive EPA since Week 4 despite not having one of their cornerstones. But the defense would basically have to pitch a near shutout for this version of the Chargers' offense to win a game.
Week 8 is a critical inflection point for the Chargers. Will McDaniel show enough to be able to keep his job? Does a loss make them more active at the trade deadline? The Chargers will have to secure their first win of the season without the aforementioned James. The Rams' offense has built momentum in recent weeks despite a slow start record-wise to their season.
The Chargers don't necessarily need James in order to win tomorrow if they're able to get something from their offense. But losing one of the pillars of the team just adds to a poor injury situation for the Chargers right now. With just five activations left, eight return-eligible names on IR means a few players currently sidelined have played their last snaps of the year. If the losing continues for the Chargers, a return for James this season seems fairly unlikely.
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