Derwin James Jr. - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Moved to IR The Chargers placed James (hamstring) on injured reserve Saturday.

Impact James missed the Chargers' three games prior to the Week 7 bye due to a hamstring injury. He suffered a setback in his recovery during Week 8 prep, which will require a stint on IR for the veteran safety. James is required to be sidelined for at least four games, so the earliest he can return is Week 12 against the Patriots on Sunday, Nov. 29. Tony Jefferson will continue to operate in an elevated role in the secondary in James' absence.

NOVEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Chargers lose Derwin James Jr. to injured reserve after hamstring rehab setback

The Los Angeles Chargers have placed safety Derwin James Jr. on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury

OCTOBER 31 • Associated Press

Remaining out Week 8 James (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's clash against the Rams, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Impact A hamstring issue will keep James sidelined for a fourth consecutive contest despite the Chargers coming off a Week 7 bye. Smith reported early in the week that James suffered a setback with the injury, and the veteran safety didn't end up practicing in any capacity. Tony Jefferson will likely have a major role in the secondary again Sunday, and it's unclear when James will be ready to return to action.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

NFL Trade Deadline: 1 Player Every Playoff Hopeful Should Target

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OCTOBER 29 • FOX SPORTS

NFL Trade Deadline: 1 Player Every Playoff Hopeful Should Target

Suffers hamstring setback James (hamstring) suffered a setback in his recovery and will likely miss Sunday's game against the Rams, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Impact James is a candidate for injured reserve and could be out for some time with a persistent hamstring injury. The star strong safety has also been discussed in trade rumors as the 0-6 Chargers' season appears to be all but over. Tony Jefferson is set to start at strong safety in Sunday's game against the Rams.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Harbaugh says 0-6 Chargers considering everything during the bye week

The Los Angeles Chargers are winless and facing internal scrutiny during their bye week

OCTOBER 22 • Associated Press

Sidelined for Week 6 James (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Impact James was not cleared to practice all week due to a hamstring injury, which will cause him to miss a second-straight week. The Chargers are on a bye for Week 7, so the veteran safety will have additional time to rest ahead of Week 8 against the Rams on Sunday, Nov. 1. Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson and Genesis Smith are all in line for more defensive snaps in the secondary in James' absence.

OCTOBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Absent from practice Thursday James (hamstring) did not practice Thursday.

Impact James has missed the Chargers' last two games because of a hamstring injury. He hasn't practiced all week, so chances are he is heading toward a third consecutive absence. If James can't suit up for the Week 6 meeting with the Chiefs, Tony Jefferson and Genesis Smith may remain more involved.

OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Justin Herbert seems no longer able to elevate Chargers' inept and injured offense

Justin Herbert spent the previous two seasons as the Los Angeles Chargers’ fixer, able to overcome whatever injuries or issues were hindering their offense through his talent and e...

OCTOBER 12 • Associated Press

Ruled out for Week 5 James (hamstring) has been ruled out against the Broncos on Sunday.

Impact James will miss a second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury. He has been unable to practice since picking up the injury and is considered week-to-week, so it remains to be seen whether he'll be available to return for Week 6 against the Chiefs on Sunday, Oct. 18. Elijah Molden, Genesis Smith and Tony Jefferson will all step into larger roles in the secondary in James' absence.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Chargers Lose Rashawn Slater To IR After Right Ankle Surgery

Los Angeles Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater was placed on injured reserve Friday after having right ankle surgery.

OCTOBER 9 • FOX SPORTS

Chargers Lose Rashawn Slater To IR After Right Ankle Surgery

Derwin James Jr. on His Recovery and Working Toward a Return Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. meets with the media to provide an update on his recovery from injury. James discusses feeling better, work...

OCTOBER 9 • CHARGERS.COM

Considered week-to-week James (hamstring) is considered week-to-week ahead of the team's Week 5 matchup with Denver, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.

Impact James was unavailable for Sunday's 30-23 loss to Seattle while nursing a hamstring issue, and head coach Jim Harbaugh outlined that the safety may need to miss more action moving forward. James was a limited participant at practice throughout the last week, and he'll likely have to log a full practice in order to avoid an injury designation before the team's contest against the Broncos in Week 5.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined against Seattle James (hamstring) is listed as out for Sunday's game versus the Seahawks.

Impact James was mostly limited during practice throughout the week, resulting in a questionable designation for Sunday's meeting with Seattle. However, James won't be available in Week 4, meaning Tony Jefferson and Genesis Smith should see considerably more defensive snaps.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged as questionable vs. Seattle James (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

Impact James posted an LP-DNP-LP practice log while working through a hamstring injury that he likely picked up during the Chargers' Week 3 loss to the Bills. Elijah Molden (hamstring) is also listed as questionable, so Tony Jefferson and Genesis Smith would both be in line for more defensive snaps if one or both of James and Molden were to be ruled out.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't practice Thursday James (hamstring) was a non-participant in practice Thursday.

Impact Thursday's DNP represents a downgrade for James after he was a limited practice participant Wednesday. However, the Chargers' practice report lists the star safety as being sidelined due to both a hamstring injury and "rest," so it's unclear how serious the hamstring issue is. Los Angeles' practice report Friday should shed more light on James' chance of suiting up in Week 4.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Derwin James Jr. on the Bolts' Sense of Urgency Entering Week 4 Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. meets with the media ahead of the team's Week 4 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. James discusses the t...

OCTOBER 2 • CHARGERS.COM

Tending to hamstring issue James (hamstring) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Impact It's not obvious when James sustained the injury, but his presence at practice Wednesday suggests it's probably not anything too serious. As long as he can practice in full Thursday or Friday, he should be able to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

OCTOBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Chargers vs. Seahawks Injury Report: Derwin James & Elijah Molden Limited on Wednesday Take a look at the Chargers Injury Report ahead of Week 4 against the Seahawks

SEPTEMBER 30 • CHARGERS.COM

The Chargers are in serious trouble after failing to capitalize on opportunities against Bills

The Chargers had plenty of opportunities to come through with a potentially season-saving win at the Bills on Sunday and still couldn’t take advantage despite building an early 10-...

SEPTEMBER 28 • Associated Press

Derwin James Jr.: "Gotta Keep Attacking It" Safety Derwin James Jr. speaks to the media following the Week 3 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

SEPTEMBER 27 • CHARGERS.COM

Practices Thursday with cast on pinky finger James (finger) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact James broke his pinky finger during the Chargers' Week 2 loss to the Raiders, but the veteran safety was on the field for Thursday's session with a cast on, per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com. James is track to play in Sunday's road game against the Bills, though it's unclear whether he will don the cast for that contest. He's logged 17 tackles (nine solo) and one pass defense through the first two games of the 2026 regular season.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Derwin James Jr. on Limiting Explosive Plays Against the Bills Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. meets with the media to discuss the defense's preparation for the Buffalo Bills in Week 3. James discusses...

SEPTEMBER 24 • CHARGERS.COM

Sits out practice Wednesday James (finger) did not participate at practice Wednesday.

Impact James was also marked with a "rest" designation on the official injury report Wednesday, so his absence may not be an indicator he's at risk of missing game action in Week 3. He suffered a broken pinky finger in Sunday's loss versus the Raiders, and the Chargers' official injury reports Thursday and Friday should provide some clarity on whether he'll be able to play through that Sunday at Buffalo.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Derwin James Injury Update: Should the Chargers Add Help at the Safety Position? Derwin James will be playing the rest of the year in a cast, which brings up the question. Should the Chargers look for help?

SEPTEMBER 22 • SI.COM

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