Chargers Place Safety Derwin James on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
Derwin James Placed on Injured Reserve
The Los Angeles Chargers placed veteran safety Derwin James on injured reserve on Saturday, sidelining the five-time All-Pro for at least the next four games due to a hamstring injury.
- Derwin James is sidelined for a minimum of four games following a hamstring injury and subsequent rehab setback.
- The earliest possible return date for the safety is Sunday, Nov. 29, against the New England Patriots.
- The Chargers have nine players currently on injured reserve, compounding a difficult season for the winless team.
Hamstring Setback Pushes James to Injured Reserve
James played the first three games of the season before a hamstring injury sidelined him following the Sept. 27 game at Buffalo. The 30-year-old safety was initially ruled out for three weeks. As the team prepared for a game against the Los Angeles Rams, James suffered a setback in his rehabilitation, prompting the organization to move him to injured reserve.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke to reporters regarding the setback just days before the official transaction on Oct. 31. The move pushes James’s potential return timeline back to Week 12 at the earliest, when the Chargers face the New England Patriots on Sunday, Nov. 29. James recently signed a three-year, $75.6 million contract extension with the team in May and has appeared in 16 of 17 games in each of the past three seasons.
Chargers Sign Waxter as Injury List Grows
To manage the secondary in James’s absence, the Chargers signed cornerback Isas Waxter to the active roster and elevated cornerback Kaiir Elam from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Rams. Players such as Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson, and Genesis Smith are expected to anchor the defensive backfield while James recovers.
James joins a lengthy list of sidelined players for the winless Chargers. The team has nine players on injured reserve, including tight end David Njoku, who injured his right knee or fibula in Week 2, and left tackle Rashawn Slater, who underwent surgery after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 4. Center Tyler Biadasz is out for the season after tearing his ACL in August.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.