Derwin James placed on injured reserve after hamstring rehab setback
The Chargers placed Pro Bowl safety Derwin James Jr. on injured reserve Saturday after a hamstring rehab setback, sidelining him for at least four games.
Derwin James goes on IR with a hamstring injury
The Los Angeles Chargers placed safety Derwin James Jr. on injured reserve on Saturday with a hamstring injury, a move that sends him to a minimum four game absence. Coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier in the week that James had a setback in his hamstring rehab and recovery, so the IR move was not a surprise once that word got out. James has not played since the Chargers lost at Buffalo on Sept. 27.
The Chargers fill the gap at cornerback
The Chargers signed cornerback Isas Waxter to the active roster and promoted cornerback Kaiir Elam from the practice squad. Waxter spent last season on the Bolts' practice squad after signing as an undrafted free agent with Seattle, and he has appeared in two games this season as a standard elevation. Elam has started 19 of 43 career regular season games across stops with Buffalo, Dallas and Tennessee.
More injuries pile up before the Rams game
James is not the only piece missing. Left guard Kayode Awosika will sit out a fifth straight game with a leg injury. Defensive back Deane Leonard was ruled out with a concussion, and wide receiver Brenen Thompson was ruled out with a quad and hamstring injury.
What's next
The Chargers are 0-6 and host the Los Angeles Rams, who are 3-4, on Sunday. James must sit at least four games under injured reserve rules, with no return date set beyond that minimum. Harbaugh said this week that James suffered the setback during his hamstring rehab and recovery, which led to Saturday's roster move.
Facts per ESPN. Opinion is the taproom's.