AUGUST 19 • USATODAY.COM
DJ CHARK
Former LSU football wide receiver released by Atlanta Falcons after two preseason games Former LSU football wide receiver DJ Chark spent less than a month with the Atlanta Falcons. On Monday, he was released after two preseason...
Falcons sign QB Ben DiNucci to replace injured Emory Jones for final preseason game at Dallas
The Atlanta Falcons have signed quarterback Ben DiNucci to provide depth for Friday’s final preseason game at DallasAUGUST 18 • Associated Press
Released by Atlanta The Falcons released Chark on Monday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Impact Chark signed with the Falcons at the start of training camp, but he's shown very little across 30 offensive snaps this preseason, securing just one of three targets for 11 yards. Chark turns 29 years old next month, and his career appears to be running on fumes after producing a 4-31-1 receiving line across seven games for the Chargers last season before spending much of the offseason as a free agent.
AUGUST 18 • ROTOWIRE
Quiet in preseason Chark caught one of three passes for 11 yards during Friday's 23-20 preseason loss to the Titans.
Impact After not catching a pass across 10 offensive snaps in Atlanta's preseason opener, Chark delivered another quiet performance in Week 2. Not only is the veteran not part of the expected roster lock group who've spent the first two exhibitions in street clothes, but he's also been outperformed by practice-squad guys like Chris Blair and Dylan Drummond. Despite plenty of experience and an injury to Darnell Mooney (shoulder), Chark is currently on the outskirts of making the Falcons' initial 53-man roster, per Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site.
AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE
DJ Chark considered retirement before joining Falcons The veteran wide receiver debated hanging up his cleats before the Falcons called with interest.
JULY 29 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Moving to ATL The Falcons agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Chark on Friday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Impact Chark had a tryout with the Bears on Monday and then met with the Falcons to cap the week before finding his next home. In his only season with the Chargers in 2024, he was beset by injuries and made just eight appearances, including a wild-card loss at Houston, en route to five catches (on 14 targets) for 41 yards and one touchdown. The 28-year-old likely will be vying with Casey Washington, Jamal Agnew and Chris Blair, among others, for one of Atlanta's final WR spots as training camp and the preseason proceed.
JULY 25 • ROTOWIRE
Visits Windy City Chark recently visited the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Monday.
Impact Chark remains an unrestricted free agent as teams begin training camp. The 28-year-old wide receiver had just 31 receiving yards in seven regular-season appearances for the Chargers in 2024 after working his way back from hip and groin injuries. Chark has exceeded 500 receiving yards in four of his seven NFL seasons. He'll likely compete for a depth role if signed by the Bears or any other team.
JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE
Injuries derail season Chark appeared in seven regular-season games for the Chargers, making four catches on 10 targets for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Impact Chark signed a one-year deal in the spring and was likely pegged to take over the deep-threat role in the Chargers' offense left behind by Mike Williams. However, a hip injury, then a groin injury to follow delayed the LSU product's team debut. The missed time likely left Chark unable to catch up, as he also missed a game as a healthy scratch. Set to be a free agent this spring, the 28-year-old could be a candidate for a second opportunity, or he may have to look elsewhere to be on an NFL sideline in 2025.
FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE
Wraps regular season with one catch Chark secured one of three targets for six yards during Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Raiders.
Impact Chark's inaugural season with the Chargers has been disastrous, having compiled just four grabs for 41 yards and one touchdown (10 targets) across seven regular-season appearances. Hip and groin injuries resulted in Chark's debut being delayed in 2024, and his being essentially an afterthought for most of the year. He has, though, drawn seven combined targets in his last two appearances. He will have a chance to improve his production in the playoffs, beginning with Saturday's wild-card round game against Houston, prior to hitting free agency this offseason.
JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE
Moving into No. 3 role Sunday Chark is projected to operate as the Chargers' No. 3 receiver in Sunday's Week 18 game against the Raiders due to Joshua Palmer (toe) being designated inactive for the contest.
Impact Chark has been a virtual afterthought in his debut Chargers campaign, due to both injury and ineffectiveness. The veteran wideout enters the regular-season finale against the Raiders with just three receptions for 25 yards on seven targets across six games, but at least by depth-chart slotting, he'd be the next man up behind Palmer. It remains to be seen how long head coach Jim Harbaugh will keep his starting offense in Sunday, but Chark is one player who could potentially see action in all four quarters.
JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE
Modest production against Tampa Bay Chark caught both of his targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 40-17 loss to the Buccaneers.
Impact Chark played just nine of the Chargers' 52 offensive snaps in the contest, well behind fellow receivers Ladd McConkey (46), Joshua Palmer (39) and Quentin Johnston (38). The veteran's two receptions, two targets and 16 yards were season highs in each category, highlighting what has been a disappointing season for the 28-year-old. Chark has appeared in just four games for Los Angeles and is clearly not a priority option in the Chargers' passing attack. He should be ignored for fantasy purposes when the Chargers host the Broncos in Week 16.
DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Modest production against Tampa Bay Chark caught both of his targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 40-17 loss to the Buccaneers.
Impact Chark played just nine of the Chargers' 52 offensive snaps in the contest, well behind fellow receivers Ladd McConkey (46), Joshua Palmer (39) and Quentin Johnston (38). The veteran's two receptions, two targets and 16 yards were season highs in each category, highlighting what has been a disappointing season for the 28-year-old. Chark has appeared in just four games for Los Angeles and is clearly not a priority option in the Chargers' passing attack. He should be ignored for fantasy purposes when the Chargers host the Broncos in Week 16.
DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Only two offensive snaps Chark played two offensive snaps in the 17-13 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Impact Chark could see more of a roll with Ladd McConkey (knee/shoulder) dealing with a number of injuries in the final stretch of the season, but unless any of the usual starters is out, the veteran simply hasn't been a factor since returning from injured reserve back in Week 10.
DECEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Active for Sunday's game Chark is active for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Impact Chark is back in the Chargers' wideout mix Sunday, but with Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer also on hand, Chark will remain a speculative fantasy option until he turns in a full and productive game.
DECEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Could be active for Week 13 Speaking with the media Wednesday, coach Jim Harbaugh said it's possible Chark will be active and play Sunday against the Falcons, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Impact "The opportunity is there," Harbaugh said. "I really like what I see, and like every week, there's an opportunity. The opportunity is guaranteed, and DJ has the license and the ability to take advantage of that opportunity." It's unclear what the opportunity is, as the Chargers are healthy at wideout and seem pretty content with their trio of Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey and Joshua Palmer. Jalen Reagor and Derius Davis have been handling depth and special teams roles. Even if Chark does become active for Week 13, it's doubtful he is useful for fantasy purposes without an injury to one of the main three receivers.
NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Healthy scratch for Week 11 Chark (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Impact Chark didn't suit up until Week 10 due to hip and groin injuries, but after playing only one snap in his Chargers debut, he will return to watching from the sidelines. It may take an injury to one of Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, Jalen Reagor or Derius Davis for Chark to enter the gameday lineup moving forward.
NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Plays one snap in season debut Chark played one offensive snap in the 27-17 win over the Titans on Sunday.
Impact Chark finally made his season debut after missing the past nine games due to a groin injury, but in a matchup that significantly favored the Chargers from the jump, the veteran figured to be a smaller cog in a run-heavy offense. It'll be interesting to see if Chark gets more run against a Cincinnati pass defense next week that has been incredibly vulnerable this season.
NOVEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Off injury report Chark (groin) is not listed on the Chargers' Week 10 injury report.
Impact The Chargers activated Chark from injured reserve this past Saturday, but he was inactive versus the Browns a day later. Now that he's off the team's injury report altogether, Chark appears poised to make his season debut this weekend against the Titans, bolstering a wideout corps currently headed by Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer.
NOVEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Inactive Sunday Chark (groin) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Impact The Chargers activated Chark (groin) from injured reserve Saturday, but he'll have to wait at least another week before making his season debut. In his continued absence, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer and Simi Fehoko are set to lead the Chargers' Week 9 wideout corps, with Jalen Reagor and Derius Davis also on hand.
NOVEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Chargers activate wide receiver D.J. Chark from IR ahead of game vs. Browns
The Los Angeles Chargers activated wide receiver DNOVEMBER 2, 2024 • Associated Press
Back on active roster The Chargers activated Chark (groin) from injured reserve Saturday, but he remains questionable for Sunday's game at Cleveland.
Impact Chark is closing in on his season debut, and considering he capped Week 9 prep with back-to-back full practices, he may be able to make an instant impact in the Chargers' receiving corps, assuming he's made active about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If that comes to pass, Chark will have to contend with rookie Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer and Simi Fehoko for snaps and targets.
NOVEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable for Week 9 Chark (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Impact Chark remains on injured reserve, but he has made progress in his recovery, as indicated by his ability to practice without limitations for the first time all season Thursday. He would first need to be officially activated from injured reserve in order to make his season debut Sunday. Chark's 21-day window to return from IR was opened Oct. 16, so the Chargers still have the option of holding him out Sunday and activating him prior to facing the Titans in Week 10.
NOVEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Logs full practice Chark (groin) practiced fully Thursday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Impact Chark had been limited since having his 21-day practice window opened, but his return to a full session Thursday suggests that he could come off IR and be available to face the Browns on Sunday. If that ends up being the case, the Chargers would be able to ease Chark back in, with Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer also in the team's wideout mix ahead of Week 9 action.
OCTOBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
DJ Chark Jr. On Battling Through His Injury Chargers Wide Receiver DJ Chark Jr. meets with the media to discuss battling back from injury, praises WR Ladd McConkey's 100-yard plus game...
OCTOBER 30, 2024 • CHARGERS.COM
Limited in practice Wednesday Chark (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Impact Chark has been regularly listed as limited since having his 21-day practice window opened. The veteran wide receiver hasn't yet played this season, but he should be nearing a return and might possibly even be a candidate to suit up for Sunday's road game against the Browns. Chark will need to be fully activated from IR before being eligible to make his Chargers debut, however.
OCTOBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
