For the first time during their Week five bye, the Chargers hit the practice field on Wednesday.
This is the first step in seeing just how reasonable it is to believe the the Chargers could be much healthier following the extended break between games.
Joey Bosa, Rashawn Slater, and Joe Alt all missed Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs due to injuries sustained in Week Three. Bosa and Slater were entirely ruled out in Week Four but Alt at least held a questionable tag before being downgraded to out.
On top of those three and their health being front-and-center over the coming days, the Chargers potentially could get back two players who started the year on injured reserve, wideout DJ Chark and linebacker Nick Niemann.
On Wednesday, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper reported on X that he noted Chark working off to the side to begin the practice, meaning his 21-day window has not been opened just yet. While being eligible to return, it seems like the Chargers aren’t in a hurry to rush him back.
But seeing how the passing offense has performed in recent weeks, maybe they need to rethink that.
Chark was signed by the Chargers earlier this year in an attempt to help mitigate the losses of longtime Bolts receiver Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The former Jaguars and Panthers wideout is known for being a field-stretcher with great long speed.
Chark was still working off to the side today, so his window is not yet open. We'll see where he's at when #Chargers are back at practice next week. He is eligible to return at this point. https://t.co/mMo4NAb0C7
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) October 2, 2024
The Chargers offense could use that skillset right about now, but they could also use better protection for Herbert in order for him to stand in the pocket long enough to throw the ball downfield.
Any help is good help, but we’ll see where this team stands a week from now as far as injuries go before the optimism can start pouring back in.
