The ACL tear Jalen Guyton suffered in Week 3 will lead to him missing more than a year. The Chargers wide receiver will be moved from the active/PUP list to the reserve/PUP, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
This shift will lead to Guyton missing at least four games, though the deep threat can begin practicing ahead of Week 3. Guyton went down against the Jaguars on Sept. 25, 2022. He will not be eligible to play until the Chargers’ Week 6 game against the Cowboys — Los Angeles’ bye comes in Week 5 — on Oct. 16.
Guyton showed promising ability in 2020 and 2021, combining for 959 receiving yards and six touchdowns in that span. A rather memorable 59-yard TD pass from Justin Herbert, against the Giants in 2021, headlines Guyton’s highlight reel. The Chargers missed the former UDFA last season. They now have a deeper receiving corps and a new offensive coordinator, with Kellen Moore replacing Joe Lombardi.
The Chargers used their first-round pick on TCU’s Quentin Johnston and crowded their receiver room by drafting Johnston Horned Frogs teammate Derius Davis, who is in place as the Bolts’ return man. Josh Palmer, who logged extensive time replacing Keenan Allen and then Mike Williams as a starter last season, resides as a regular in the Allen- and Williams-led group as well. While ex-Eagle John Hightower showed early promise, a mid-training camp injury halted his momentum. Whomever the sixth receiver on the Chargers’ depth chart ends up being, Guyton looms as a potential in-season addition.
While the Bolts have a better receiver situation compared to their 2022 unit, they still re-signed Guyton. That move occurred just before the draft, however. The 26-year-old pass catcher’s $1.23MM deal only includes $76K guaranteed, introducing questions about the Bolts’ plans once Guyton recovers.