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Los Angeles Chargers News & Rumors

Justin Herbert Trending Towards Playing In Week 4

September 25th, 2024 at 8:59pm CST by Ely Allen

The last we saw of Justin Herbert was the Chargers quarterback limping off the field midway through the third quarter of last weekend’s loss to the Steelers. Head coach Jim Harbaugh made the move to sub in backup Taylor Heinicke, likely a smart move as Heinicke was sacked three more times in the remainder of the contest. As we approach Week 4, there seems to be an increasing expectation that Herbert will be back behind center when Los Angeles hosts the Chiefs on Sunday.

Herbert had been nursing an ankle injury all week after getting rolled up on in the team’s Week 2 matchup. Throughout the week there were questions on whether or not he would even play in Pittsburgh. Nevertheless, Herbert made the start, and the offense struggled to pick up where it had left off in the previous week before ultimately losing their quarterback in the second half.

Initially, rumors seemed to indicate that there was a chance Herbert would be benched until the team’s Week 5 bye in order to rest. This would have entailed him skipping this week’s matchup with their division-leading rival, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported today that Herbert “doesn’t think that’s the way (they’re) heading,” indicating that he was trending towards playing this week.

Supporting that theory, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tells us that Herbert was listed as a limited participant at practice today. Daniel Popper of The Athletic adds that, according to Harbaugh, an MRI on Monday showed progress in Hebert’s healing, and the quarterback has ditched the protective walking boot. Herbert claimed that he’s feeling “less pain” and was able to do some 7-on-7 work at practice today.

With two more days of practice until the weekend, all signs are pointing to a return for Herbert on Sunday. There’s always a chance of an injury flare up sometime during the week, but things are trending in the right direction as of right now.

Chargers S Derwin James Suspended One Game

September 24th, 2024 at 9:55pm CST by Ben Levine

SEPTEMBER 24: James appealed the suspension on Tuesday, but hearing officer Derrick Brooks upheld the ban. James will officially be out of the lineup for Week 4, the Chargers’ final game before their bye week.

SEPTEMBER 23: Derwin James will be sidelined for Week 4 after being hit with a suspension today. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Chargers safety has been suspended one game without pay for “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players.”

This sentiment includes this past weekend’s game against the Steelers. During the third quarter, James’ hit on Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth caught the attention of the league, with NFL vice president of Football Operations Jon Runyan citing the defender’s “continued disregard for NFL playing rules.”

“During the third quarter of Sunday’s Chargers-Steelers game, you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules,” Runyan wrote in his letter to James (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). “The video of the play shows that you lowered your head and made forcible contact to Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided.

“Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated. Substantiated penalties are warranted when players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player.”

James intends to appeal the suspension, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. The veteran safety has been fined a number of times throughout his career for unnecessary roughness, including a $43K fine last season for a hit on then-Lions WR Josh Reynolds. Following that most-recent fine, James said he thinks he draws more scrutiny than other NFL players.

“I think I am a little bit,” James said (via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com). “I’m not here to referee what they need to call. I’m here to play football and help my team win games.”

The former first-round pick has spent his entire career with the Chargers, earning three All-Pro nods and a pair of Walter Payton Man of the Year award nominees. Since missing the 2020 campaign with a knee injury, James has collected five forced fumbles, nine QB hits, and 240 tackles over the past three years.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/24/24

September 24th, 2024 at 8:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here are Tuesday’s taxi squad moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

  • Signed: DB Morice Norris

Green Bay Packers

  • Released: TE Johnny Lumpkin

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Released: TE Luke Benson, CB Nehemiah Shelton

New England Patriots

  • Signed: WR John Jiles

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Signed: LB Marcus Haynes
  • Released: TE Matt Sokol

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This year’s ‘Mr. Irrelevant,’ Key did not make the Jets’ initial 53-man roster. The 24-year-old was retained via the practice squad, but he did not see any regular season action. Now a free agent, Key will look to latch on with another organization.

Ross signed with the Eagles in May as part of his bid to return to the NFL. The former Combine 40-yard dash record holder was released during roster cutdowns, however, after he was unable to carve out a depth role on offense. Ross will rejoin the team in a bid to provide Philadelphia with a complementary receiving option as the team deals with a number of injuries at the WR spot.

Chargers Add WR Jalen Reagor To Practice Squad

September 23rd, 2024 at 8:46pm CST by Ben Levine

Jalen Reagor has found a new gig. The wide receiver is signing with the Chargers practice squad, according to SiriusXM’s Adam Caplan. Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz adds that the eventual plan will see Reagor working his way to the active roster.

The receiver spent the past year-plus in New England, with Reagor basically splitting time between the active roster and practice squad. After getting into 11 games in 2023, he once again found himself on New England’s practice squad to begin the 2024 campaign. He was cut by the Patriots last week after posting a cryptic (and potentially critical) social media post (via NBC Sports Boston).

The 21st-overall pick in the 2020 draft, Reagor has struggled to live up to his draft pedigree. The receiver only lasted two seasons with the Eagles, hauling in 64 catches while also returning 35 punts and 12 kickoffs. He got into 17 games with the Vikings in 2022 but was limited to only eight catches, and he finished his Patriots tenure with seven total receptions.

He’ll have a chance to revive his career in Los Angeles. Josh Palmer has been dealing with elbow and calf injuries, and after gutting through his issues in Week 2, he was inactive for Week 3. Both Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey have already shown promise this season, but if Palmer is forced to miss more time, Reagor could step up ahead of the likes of Simi Fehoko, Derius Davis, and Brenden Rice. The team also has DJ Chark stashed on injured reserve; the wide receiver is eligible to return to practice after Week 4.

Chargers RT Joe Alt Expected To Miss Time; LT Rashawn Slater Suffers Pectoral Injury

September 23rd, 2024 at 5:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

It remains to be seen who the Chargers will have at quarterback for Week 4. Regardless of if Justin Herbert is on the field or not, the team will likely be shorthanded up front.

Right tackle Joe Alt suffered an MCL sprain during the Chargers’ loss on Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. As a result, this year’s fifth overall pick is expected to miss time. Rapoport does add, however, that surgery will not be needed.

Alt exceled on the blindside during his time at Notre Dame. He emerged as the top prospect in a deep offensive tackle class, and by the time his name was called by the Bolts it came as little surprise he would be joining the team. With Rashawn Slater in place on the left, Alt took on the right tackle gig as a rookie. Prior to the injury, he had thrived in that role.

The 21-year-old is unlikely to be available against the Chiefs in Week 4. Los Angeles is on the bye in Week 5, however, so Alt’s absence could prove to be short-lived especially since no surgery will not take place. The team will hope the same holds true of Slater, whom Rapoport notes is dealing with a strained pectoral muscle. The 2021 first-rounder exited Sunday’s loss to the Steelers.

In the second half of that game, Los Angeles recorded negative-five yards of total offense. Taylor Heinicke was at quarterback for much of that time, and the team’s injuries at both tackle spots were obviously a contributing factor to that production. Slater is set to collect $19.04MM next season on the fifth-year option, but it would not come as a surprise if the Chargers were to pursue an extension. Any injuries affecting him during the campaign could alter his value, though, of course.

As expected, Jim Harbaugh‘s first season as head coach of the Chargers has included a run-heavy approach on offense. That will remain especially true if Herbert cannot play in Week 4, but in addition to questions about his status it will be interesting to see how the team’s O-line looks when that game takes place.

Chargers’ Justin Herbert Exits Game; QB Hopeful To Play In Week 4

September 23rd, 2024 at 2:32pm CST by Adam La Rose

SEPTEMBER 23: X-rays on Herbert’s ankle came back negative, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. That is an encouraging sign, although his status over the course of the coming week will of course be carefully monitored. How Herbert progresses over the coming days will determine his ability to return to the lineup.

SEPTEMBER 22: Justin Herbert battled an ankle injury during the build-up to Week 3, leading to questions about his availability. The Chargers’ franchise passer did indeed start today’s contest, but he reaggravated the injury and was pulled in the third quarter.1

A sack caused Herbert to limp off the field, and head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the game he decided at that point to make a change at quarterback. Taylor Heinicke took over for the remainder of the contest, but he took three sacks and did not lead any scoring drives. The Chargers lost 20-10 to the Steelers, dropping them to 2-1. The most important situation to monitor is of course Herbert’s status, though.

The 26-year-old was in a walking boot after the game, as noted by ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry. That comes as no surprise given the nature in which he was injured, and his progress in recovering over the coming days will be a key storyline. Herbert may not need to practice for the Bolts to determine he is able to play in Week 4, although a cautious approach would also be reasonable. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year said X-rays were taken on his foot after the game.

The Chargers inked Herbert to an extension which temporarily made him the league’s highest-paid player last offseason. That $52.5MM-per-year accord has been surpassed multiple times since, but he is still the centerpiece of Los Angeles’ offense. His health is paramount, although some eyebrows were raised by the Chargers’ decision to start him given how serious the injury was over the past week. Further testing will no doubt take place before a prognosis emerges, although Herbert added he is hopeful to play in Week 4.

Heinicke was acquired via trade from the Falcons ahead of the roster cutdown deadline. With Atlanta signing Kirk Cousins in free agency and selecting Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the draft, Heinicke assumed he would be on a new team by the start of the season. The 31-year-old is a veteran of 29 starts, so he would represent an experienced option if the Chargers were to be sit Herbert. Updates on the latter’s status will be worth watching closely.

Former Dolphins Super Bowl-Winning RB Mercury Morris Dies At 77

September 22nd, 2024 at 10:46am CST by Sam Robinson

Known for his role on the Dolphins’ perfect 1972 season and being one of that storied team’s lead ambassadors, Mercury Morris died Saturday night. Morris’ son announced his passing Sunday morning.

Born Eugene Morris, the shifty ball-carrier played a lead role for an NFL dynasty. He stepped in as the Dolphins’ lead halfback in a backfield that featured Hall of Fame fullback Larry Csonka. While Csonka was the engine for those Miami offenses, he and Morris formed a lethal tandem that powered the Dolphins during a run-heavy NFL era.

The Dolphins ventured to three straight Super Bowls from 1971-73. Although Jim Kiick operated as Csonka’s primary complement during the 1971 season, Morris — a 1969 third-round pick out of West Texas A&M — stepped in as Miami’s top HB during the ’72 slate. In addition to that 17-0 Dolphins season being among the most celebrated in American sports history, Morris teamed with Csonka to become the NFL’s first 1,000-1,000 backfield. The former landed on exactly 1,000 rushing yards in that 14-game campaign, with Csonka finishing with 1,117 to help a Dolphins team that played without starting quarterback Bob Griese for much of that perfect season.

After eclipsing 70 rushing yards in Miami’s two wins during the AFC playoffs, Morris led the NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns for a 1973 Dolphins team that went 12-2 and beat superior regular-season competition (Oakland, Pittsburgh, Dallas) compared to its unbeaten predecessor. Morris averaged a career-best 6.4 yards per carry that season and joined Csonka in helping Miami win Super Bowl VIII while attempting just seven passes in a one-sided win over the Vikings.

Miami’s 1974 team played without Morris for all but five games, and the veteran back did not suit up for the team’s loss to the Raiders in a divisional-round classic. Morris, who also returned three kickoffs for touchdowns during his first three NFL seasons, earned three Pro Bowl selections. He played seven seasons with the Dolphins, continuing after Csonka and Hall of Fame wide receiver Paul Warfield left for the short-lived World Football League in 1975, but saw his career impacted by a knee injury sustained during the 1974 preseason.

Morris, who finished his career with the Chargers in 1976, accumulated 4,133 career rushing yards in eight seasons. Among running backs, Morris’ 5.1 career yards-per-carry average trails only Marion Motley (5.7), Jamaal Charles (5.4), Nick Chubb (5.3) and Jim Brown (5.2). Among RBs to play past the 1970 merger, Morris ranks third in YPC.

Sentenced to 20 years in prison for cocaine trafficking in 1982, Morris served 3 1/2 years after the Florida Supreme Court overturned his conviction. The Pittsburgh native would regularly tout the Dolphins’ perfect season, which annually involves the surviving team members toasting after the NFL’s final unbeaten goes down.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/21/24

September 21st, 2024 at 5:00pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor NFL transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Players like Hollman, Vigil, Webb, and Quarterman will now be getting called up for the third time this season. The NFL rules limit a practice squad player to three standard gameday elevations per contract. If their teams want to get them into more games in the future, the normal route is for them to be signed to the active roster after this weekend then released/waived and signed to new practice squad deals, starting their three-game count over.

Shy Tuttle‘s foot injury will keep him off the field for Week 3, as the Panthers announced that the defensive tackle has been downgraded from doubtful to out. The Panthers called up Williams to temporarily take the open roster spot. The defensive end started 10 of his 16 appearances for the Panthers last season, and he landed back on Carolina’s practice squad last month after spending the preseason with the Bills.

The Browns announced a handful of moves ahead of their game with the Giants tomorrow. Notably, the team didn’t promote any offensive tackles, which provided some optimism surrounding the availability of their injured tackles. While Jedrick Wills Jr. is expected to play (per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal), Jack Conklin will not (per Tony Grossi of 850 ESPN Cleveland). Conklin hasn’t played since Week 1 of the 2023 season while recovering from a torn ACL and MCL. He practiced this week and was initially listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game, but it sounds like a new hamstring injury is the culprit for his Week 3 absence.

With both Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce set to miss Sunday’s trip to Minnesota, the Texans are bringing up Taylor off the practice squad. Taylor will back up Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale against the Vikings this weekend.

NFL Injury Updates: Texans, Herbert, Love, Mims

September 21st, 2024 at 3:38pm CST by Ely Allen

The Texans offense has been inundated with injuries over the past week. Both starting running back Joe Mixon and primary backup rusher Dameon Pierce are set to miss the team’s trip to Minnesota this weekend, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. In addition, center Jarrett Patterson has been ruled out, as well.

Mixon is still dealing with an ankle injury that knocked him out of last week’s win over the Bears. After an explosive Week 1 debut with the Texans, in which he rushed 30 times for 159 yards and a touchdown, Mixon only rushed the ball nine times before getting knocked out last week. Pierce was absent in last week’s game as he dealt with a hamstring injury that he suffered in Week 1.

With its RB1 and RB2 on the injury report, Houton will have to turn to Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale in Week 3. The team also called up practice squad rusher J.J. Taylor as some potential insurance. Juice Scruggs should be back starting at center, though he’s also listed as questionable with a groin injury. With Patterson out, Kendrick Green will be the backup center.

Here are some other injury updates from around the NFL:

  • Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has spent the week dealing with a high ankle sprain, barely appearing at practice since last Sunday. Yesterday, it was announced that there was no decision on whether or not he would be able to start this Sunday. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, though, there’s growing optimism in Los Angeles that Herbert will be able to start in Pittsburgh tomorrow. He’s currently listed as questionable, and he’ll reportedly test the ankle before the game before making a final call.
  • Another starting quarterback, Jordan Love, is currently listed as questionable to play tomorrow. The Packers anticipated a multi-week absence for their newly-paid passer, but per Pelissero, the team has not yet ruled out the possibility that Love returns after only one absence. Still, Green Bay called up Sean Clifford from the practice squad. Clifford will back up Malik Willis if Love is unable to go in time for tomorrow.
  • We already knew that wide receiver Tee Higgins was set to make his 2024 debut on Monday, but Pelissero adds that rookie first-round offensive tackle Amarius Mims has been removed from the injury report and is set to make his NFL debut for the Bengals, as a result. Mims had been dealing with a pectoral muscle injury that limited his time in training camp and kept him out of the team’s first two contests. It’s unclear what his role would be if he does play immediately, as Trent Brown has been starting for the first few games, but regardless, Cincinnati will be happy to add a first-round talent to their offense this week.
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