Chargers offense gets dealt more bad news with unfortunate injury update

The LA Chargers have struggled on the offensive side of the football this season despite having an elite, franchise quarterback under center. Offensive line woes coupled with a lack of weapons have turned the Chargers into a predictably stagnant offense through the first four games of the 2024 season.

If the Chargers are serious about being a playoff contender (which seems to be the case after the team played Justin Herbert through his ankle injury) then adding external receiver help is a must. In addition to possible external help, there is also hope the team can improve as internal options turn the injury corner.

Many expected veteran wideout DJ Chark Jr. to make his Chargers debut in Week 6 after the team's Week 5 bye. Chark was placed on the injured reserve shortly before Week 1 with the early timeline pointing directly at Week 6.

Unfortunately, it does not appear the Chargers will get a Chark boost after the bye week after all. Chark's recovery is taking longer than Chargers fans expected as he will not be active in Week 6 (and perhaps for even longer).

Chargers must wait even longer for DJ Chark Jr's debut

Chark was not going to suddenly reinvent the Chargers' offense and fix all of the team's woes but he would have added a much-needed wrinkle to diversify Greg Roman's side of the ball.

The Chargers do not have a true X receiver without Chark. Joshua Palmer is the best suited for the role but he is by no means a great fit. Adding Chark would give the Chargers a true X, freeing up Palmer to do more of what makes him successful (assuming his playing time doesn't take a drastic hit).

Having a true X will open the route tree for the rest of the receivers in LA, even if Roman's playbook is limited in the passing game. Even if Chark himself is not the one producing the numbers, it should have a positive impact on Herbert.

Additionally, Chark brings the kind of game-breaking speed that opens up the deep part of the field to unlock the rocket attached to Herbert's right shoulder. Ladd McConkey is the only one on offense with true speed but he is not someone who opens the deep part of the field.

Chark would also give Herbert something he has had his entire career up until now: someone who can make contested catches. The former Jaguar is by no means on Mike Williams' level, but he would offer a far better contested catch option than what the team currently has.

Unfortunately, the Chargers are going to have to wait even longer to get any of the benefits of Chark in the wide receiver room. For now, expect the team's offense to continue struggling in the passing game.