HAYDEN HURST NEWS

Chargers in need of help at wide receiver and tight end in the NFL draft

In their first season together, Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh rebuilt the team enough to get into the playoffs

APRIL 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Disappointing season in LA Hurst appeared in nine regular-season games for the Chargers, recording eight catches on 13 targets for 73 yards.

Impact Hurst joined the Chargers on a one-year contract, with expectations of bouncing back after a down year in Carolina. Instead, the 31-year-old set career-low marks across the board, including not recording a touchdown for the first time in his career. A hip injury, which led to a stint on IR derailed any momentum he may have been building in the early season with his new squad. Ultimately he finished the campaign as a healthy scratch in their wild card matchup against the Texans.

FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Best Photos of Chargers Free Agent Hayden Hurst Tight end Hayden Hurst has recorded 1,975 career receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. In the 2024 season, he logged 73 receiving yards.

JANUARY 23 • CHARGERS.COM

Healthy inactive against Houston Hurst is a healthy inactive for Saturday's wild-card game against the Texans.

Impact The veteran was the team's preferred pass-catching tight end earlier this season, but Hurst has been used sparingly since returning from a hip injury in Week 16, tallying just 14 total offensive snaps in the final three games of the regular season.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Invisible in Week 18 loss Hurst was not targeted during Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Raiders.

Impact Hurst returned from his one-game absence due to illness, but he played just six offensive snaps versus Las Vegas. The veteran tight end is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so the playoffs, beginning with Saturday's wild-card round matchup against the Texans, will be his final chance to impress potential new suitors. Across nine regular-season appearances Hurst has secured just eight of 13 targets for 73 yards.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Invisible in Week 18 loss Hurst was not targeted during Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Raiders.

Impact Hurst returned from his one-game absence due to illness, but he played just six offensive snaps versus Las Vegas. The veteran tight end is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so the playoffs, beginning with Saturday's wild-card round matchup against the Texans, will be his final chance to impress potential new suitors. Across nine regular-season appearances Hurst has secured just eight of 13 targets for 73 yards.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Moves past ailment Hurst (illness) is not on the Chargers' injury report Wednesday.

Impact Hurst was held out of this past Saturday's win over the Patriots due to an illness. However, his exclusion from Los Angeles' first injury report of this week suggests the veteran tight end has since recovered. Hurst thus is on track to play in Sunday's Week 18 game against Las Vegas, and he'll likely work as the Chargers' third tight end behind Will Dissly and Stone Smartt.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive Saturday Hurst (illness) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Patriots, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Impact While Hurst is unavailable Saturday, the Chargers will welcome Will Dissly (shoulder) back to their lineup, joining Stone Smartt and Tucker Fisk in the team's Week 17 tight end corps. Hurst will thus target a potential return to action next weekend against the Raiders.

DECEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Uncertain to play Saturday The Chargers list Hurst (illness) as questionable for Saturday's game against the Patriots.

Impact He's one of two Chargers tight ends taking a questionable tag into the weekend, as Will Dissly (shoulder) is also carrying a designation coming off a two-game absence. Hurst had missed five straight games with a hip injury before coming off injured reserve last week and playing eight snaps in this past Thursday's win over the Broncos. With the illness resulting in him logging just one limited practice this week, Hurst may not be in store for a dramatic increase in playing time Saturday if he's cleared to suit up.

DECEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in Wednesday's walkthrough Hurst (illness) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report.

Impact Hurst was held out of Tuesday's session due to an illness, but his ability to participate in Wednesday's walkthrough -- albeit in a limited capacity -- indicates that he is progressing in his recovery. Thursday's practice report will provide clarity on Hurst's status heading into Saturday's game against the Patriots. Hurst missed five games due to a hip injury but was able to return for Week 16 against the Broncos, finishing with one catch for eight yards while playing eight snaps on offense. He could see a larger role in Week 17 if Will Dissly (shoulder) is not cleared to play.

DECEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sits out practice with illness Hurst was a non-participant in Tuesday's practice due to an illness.

Impact Hurst missed five straight games with a hip injury before coming off injured reserve and suiting up in last Thursday's 34-27 win over the Broncos. Though top tight end Will Dissly (hip) wasn't available for Week 16, Hurst handled a light role in his return to action, playing just eight snaps and recording an eight-yard reception. Hurst could have a chance to see his role expand Saturday versus the Patriots if he's able to shake off the illness, though the Chargers might also get Dissly back for that game.

DECEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs one catch in return Hurst caught his only target for eight yards in Thursday's 34-27 Week 16 win over Denver.

Impact Hurst suited up for the first time since Week 10 after missing five games due to a hip injury. He logged eight offensive snaps for Los Angeles, much fewer than fellow tight ends Stone Smartt (39 offensive snaps) and Tucker Fisk (28). Hurst's snap share could become more aligned to that of Smartt and Fisk as the former further distances himself from the hip issue, though Will Dissly figures to regain his role as the starter at the position once he's ready to return from a shoulder injury.

DECEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Thursday Hurst (hip) is listed active for Thursday night's game against the Broncos, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Impact Hurst, who had been sidelined since Week 10, was activated from IR ahead of the contest, and in his return to action he'll provide added depth to a tight end corps that will be without Will Dissly (shoulder). In that context, Hurst has an opportunity to get back into the Chargers' passing game mix in short order, while working in tandem with fellow TE Stone Smartt, who logged five catches for 50 yards last weekend in Dissly's absence. With a possible time-share looming, Hurst profiles as a speculative Week 16 fantasy lineup option.

DECEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from IR Hurst (hip) has been activated from IR ahead of Thursday night's game against the Broncos.

Impact Hurst, who last saw game action in Week 10, still carries a 'questionable' designation for the contest, but he's on track to bolster a Chargers' tight end corps that will be without Will Dissly, who's still sidelined with a shoulder injury. Hurst should thus have an opportunity to get right back into the mix Thursday while working alongside fellow TE Stone Smartt, who caught five passes for 50 yards in Week 15 in Dissly's absence.

DECEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On track to be activated The Chargers plan to activate Hurst (hip) from IR ahead of Thursday night's game against the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Hurst last saw game action in Week 10, but his looming return to the mix arrives at an opportune time, with fellow tight end Will Dissly still sidelined with a shoulder injury. With that in mind, Hurst should have an opportunity to contribute as pass catcher Thursday, while working alongside Stone Smartt, who caught five passes for 50 yards in Week 15 with Dissly inactive.

DECEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable after full practices Hurst (hip) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Broncos.

Impact Hurst practice without limitations Tuesday and Wednesday after being designated to return from injured reserve Monday. If Hurts gains clearance for his first action since Week 10, he could take over atop the depth chart since Will Dislly (shoulder) has been ruled out, though Stone Smartt could push Hurst for playing time. Hurst would need to be officially added back to the roster from IR in order to play Thursday.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable after full practices Hurst (hip) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Broncos.

Impact Hurst practiced without limitations Tuesday and Wednesday after being designated to return from injured reserve Monday. If Hurts gains clearance for his first action since Week 10, he could take over atop the depth chart since Will Dislly (shoulder) has been ruled out, though Stone Smartt could push Hurst for playing time. Hurst would need to be officially added back to the roster from IR in order to play Thursday.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Full practice Tuesday Hurst (hip) was a full participant at the Chargers' practice Thursday.

Impact Hurst was designated to return from injured reserve Monday and he officially made his return to the practice field one day later. The tight end has been out since mid-November with a hip injury, missing the Chargers' last four games while on injured reserve. Hurst has caught seven of 12 targets for 65 yards over seven games in 2024 and with Will Dissly (shoulder) still banged up, it's possible that Hurst would operate in a significant role Thursday night versus Denver, if activated from IR.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Full practice Tuesday Hurst (hip) was a full participant at the Chargers' practice Thursday.

Impact Hurst was designated to return from injured reserve Monday and he officially made his return to the practice field one day later. The tight end has been out since mid-November with a hip injury, missing the Chargers' last four games while on injured reserve. Hurst has caught seven of 12 targets for 65 yards over seven games in 2024. With Will Dissly (shoulder) still banged up, it's possible that Hurst would operate in a significant role Thursday night versus Denver if he gets activated from IR.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Resumes practicing The Chargers designated Hurst (hip) for return from injured reserve Tuesday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Hurst missed the minimum four games after being placed on injured reserve Nov. 25, but he's made enough progress in his recovery from the hip injury to resume on-field work. The Chargers aren't likely to hold a full slate of practices this week in advance of Thursday's game in Denver, so the veteran tight end may not be able to get in sufficient reps to prove his health. Whether Hurst is activated from IR for this week's game or at some point before his 21-day practice window closes, his playing time is likely to hinge on the status of top tight end Will Dissly (shoulder), who sat out Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers and is trending toward missing a second straight game Tuesday.

DECEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Resumes practicing The Chargers designated Hurst (hip) for return from injured reserve Monday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Impact Hurst has already missed the minimum four games after being placed on injured reserve Nov. 25, and he's made enough progress to resume on-field work. The Chargers aren't likely to hold a full slate of practices this week in advance of Thursday's game in Denver, so the veteran tight end may not be able to get in sufficient reps to prove he's ready to rejoin the lineup. When Hurst does get activated, his playing time is likely to hinge on the status of top tight end Will Dissly (shoulder), who sat out Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers and is trending toward missing a second straight game.

DECEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

J.K. Dobbins' knee injury could be tough news for the Chargers offense

Losing to older brother John Harbaugh and seeing the Los Angeles Chargers' four-game winning streak snapped Monday night might be the least of Jim Harbaugh’s problems this week

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sent to injured reserve The Chargers placed Hurst (hip) on injured reserve Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Hurst had already been ruled out for Monday night's game against the Ravens, but he's now going to miss at least the next four contests. Will Dissly and Stone Smartt should handle tight end duties for the Chargers while Hurst is sidelined.

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't suit up Monday Hurst (hip) has been ruled out for Monday's Week 12 contest against Baltimore.

Impact Hurst first landed on the Chargers' injury report as a limited participant Friday, and he was unable to practice at all Saturday. Consequently, he'll miss Monday night's matchup against the Ravens. Will Dissly will continue to serve as Los Angeles' top pass-catching tight end, and Tucker Fisk could see more opportunities in Hurst's stead.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Added to injury report Hurst (hip) was limited at practice Friday.

Impact Hurst was listed as a full participant on Thursday's practice estimate, so the tight end's addition to the Chargers' injury report a day later makes his status worth monitoring ahead of Monday night's game against the Ravens. That said, Hurst carries modest fantasy lineup upside in Week 12, given that Will Dissly is his team's clear-cut top passing-catching option at the TE position.

NOVEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE